Spanish PM's party bans members from paying for sex amid scandal
Sanchez, 53, is facing the biggest crisis of his seven years in power. That was heightened on Monday (local time)
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NZ Herald
2 days ago
- NZ Herald
Spanish PM's party bans members from paying for sex amid scandal
Hit by a corruption scandal involving alleged kickbacks and sex workers, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's party shook up its top leadership Saturday and banned members from paying for sex. Sanchez, 53, is facing the biggest crisis of his seven years in power. That was heightened on Monday (local time)
RNZ News
2 days ago
- RNZ News
Spainish ruling party bars members from hiring sex workers
By Alfons Luna , AFP A bus bearing an image of Pedro Sanchez drives past supporters of the Spanish Prime Minister, in front of Spain's Socialist party headquarters on 5 July, 2025. Photo: AFP / OSCAR DEL POZO Hit by a corruption scandal involving alleged kickbacks and sex workers, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's party shook up its top leadership Saturday (Spanish time) and banned members from paying for sex. Sanchez, 53, is facing the biggest crisis of his seven years in power. That was heightened on Monday by the detention of a former top official in his Socialist party, Santos Cerdan, in an investigation involving allegations of corruption and hiring sex workers. In a bid to right the ship, the Socialist party announced that "soliciting, accepting or obtaining sexual acts in exchange for money" was now banned for party members, punishable by "the maximum sanction, expulsion from the party". "If we believe a woman's body is not for sale, our party cannot allow behaviour contrary to that," Sanchez said. "These are difficult times for everyone, without a doubt," he told party leaders at a meeting in Madrid, once again apologising for trusting those caught up in the growing scandal. But he also reiterated his refusal to step down. "The captain doesn't look the other way when seas get rough. He stays to steer the ship through the storm," he said. The party also announced a leadership shake-up, replacing Cerdan as its number three official with 44-year-old lawyer Rebeca Torro. The meeting started behind schedule after another close Sanchez ally, Francisco Salazar, who had been due to take a top leadership post, resigned. Online news site said Salazar had been accused of "inappropriate behaviour" by several women who had formerly reported to him in the party. Former transport minister Jose Luis Abalos has also been implicated in the investigation into kickbacks for public contracts. The conservative opposition People's Party (PP) held a meeting of its own, looking to capitalise on the Socialists' stumbles. "We're the only alternative to this state of decline," said PP leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo, calling his party the answer to Spain's divisions and "political fatigue". "Spaniards deserve a government that doesn't lie to them, that doesn't rob them but serves them," he said. - AFP
1News
3 days ago
- 1News
Liverpool star Diogo Jota killed in car accident in Spain
Liverpool player Diogo Jota and his brother were killed in a car accident in Spain when the Lamborghini they were in veered off a road and burst into flames, police said Thursday. The Spanish Civil Guard confirmed to The Associated Press that the 28-year-old Jota and his 25-year-old brother, André Silva, were found dead near the northwestern city of Zamora. Jota's death comes weeks after he married Rute Cardoso while on vacation from a long season where he helped Liverpool win the Premier League title. On getting married, she wrote in a social media post, "Yes to forever". He leaves behind him three children, the youngest born last year. Police were investigating the causes of the accident that occurred past midnight local time. They said there were no other vehicles involved and that the brothers were alone in the car. The bodies were undergoing forensic analysis. It wasn't clear who was driving the car. Police were looking into the hypothesis that the accident happened because of a blown tire while they tried to overtake another vehicle. ADVERTISEMENT The site of the car accident in which Liverpool player Diogo Jota and his brother died in the north-western city of Zamora, Spain. (Source: Associated Press) The crash occurred while Jota and Silva, who is also a Portuguese soccer player, were traveling eastward along an isolated stretch of highway about an hour west of Zamora. Diogo Jota dies just days after marrying childhood sweetheart: TVNZ+ Video images of the aftermath published by Spanish media showed braking tire marks veering off the road toward torn-apart guardrails. The burnt-up car was seen several metres ahead, with some of the vegetation around it destroyed by the fire. The site of the car accident in which Liverpool player Diogo Jota and his brother died in the north-western city of Zamora, Spain. (Source: Associated Press) Jota was taking his summer break from soccer after having helped Portugal win the Nations League. That June 8 final against Spain in Munich was his last match. Liverpool's players are due back to start training for next season on Monday. But Jota's participation in the Nations League could have earned him some extra time off before being called back to Liverpool. ADVERTISEMENT Liverpool said the club was "devastated by the tragic passing". "Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre's family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss. We will continue to provide them with our full support." Football fans leave tributes in memory of Liverpool player Diogo Jota at Anfield Stadium, home of Liverpool FC in Liverpool. (Source: Associated Press) Liverpool fans gathered to place flowers and team scarves outside Anfield Stadium to mourn Jota's passing when news of his death spread. Jota joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020 and won three major trophies with the Merseyside club. Jota was a clinical finisher, scoring 65 goals in 182 games for the Reds. His last goal for the club was the winner in the Merseyside derby against Everton in April, which moved the team closer to the league title. His brother Silva played with Portuguese club Penafiel in the lower divisions. ADVERTISEMENT Portugal mourns loss of brothers Portugal's Prime Minister Luís Montenegro commented on the "unexpected and tragic" deaths. He said Jota was "an athlete who greatly honoured Portugal's name". "I extend my deepest condolences to their family," he said. "It is a sad day for soccer and for national and international sports". Born in Porto in 1996, Jota made his professional debut with Portuguese club Paços de Ferreira. The Portuguese soccer federation released a statement lamenting the deaths. Federation president Pedro Proença said Portuguese soccer was "completely devastated". People arrive to leave tributes in memory of Liverpool player Diogo Jota at Anfield Stadium, home of FC Liverpool in Liverpool. (Source: Associated Press) "More than a fantastic player, with almost 50 appearances for the national team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all his colleagues and opponents. He had a contagious joy and was a reference in his community," Proença said in the statement. ADVERTISEMENT The Portuguese federation said it has requested a minute of silence before Thursday's match between Portugal and Spain at the Women's European Championship being played in Switzerland. "We lost two champions," Proença said. "Their deaths represent an irreparable loss for Portuguese soccer and we will all do our best to honour their legacy daily." Sports world reacts Reaction also started pouring in from across the world, including from non-soccer players such as NBA star Lebron James — a minority owner at Liverpool — and tennis legend Rafael Nadal. "It doesn't make any sense," Jota's Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo said. 'Just now we were together in the national team, just now you had gotten married. My condolences to your family, to your wife and to your children. I wish them all the strength in the world. I know that you will always be with them. Rest in peace, Diogo and André. We will all miss you.' Former club Porto and former teammates lamented the deaths and sent condolences, as did other clubs, federations and leagues. The Premier League said it was "shocked and devastated". "Our sincerest condolences go to Diogo's family, friends, Liverpool FC, and all their supporters at this heart-breaking time," it said. "Football has lost a champion who will be forever missed. We will continue to support our friends and colleagues at the club." UEFA said its thoughts were with relatives, friends and teammates affected "by this heartbreaking loss". It said a moment of silence will be observed at Euro 2025 matches on Thursday and Friday.
