David Sánchez Pérez-Castejón, who is the brother of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, will be going to trial in a case that has unsettled Spain’s political scene. Accused of supposed administrative wrongdoing and leveraging his influence, David Sánchez allegedly secured a custom government position within the Provincial Council of Badajoz, sidestepping open recruitment processes and breaching public employment regulations. This will mark the first instance in Spain’s democratic period where a current Prime Minister’s relative is on trial for public office corruption.
A Role Designed to Match
The court inquiry focuses on a position established in 2017 in the Badajoz provincial administration: Director of the Performing Arts Office. Legal files claim that the role was created specifically for David Sánchez, lacking a genuine institutional requirement, and tailored to suit his educational and career qualifications.
The recruitment procedure was reportedly not competitive and lacked openness, with internal messages indicating that the role was part of a larger political setup. The judge handling the case has remarked that the position had “no genuine functional necessity” and was “obviously designed to fit a particular applicant.”
Political Strategy and Legal Protection
As scrutiny increased earlier this year, David Sánchez stepped down from his position, mentioning “media pressure” as the reason. Soon after, the leader of the provincial council in Badajoz, a prominent member of the PSOE, was sworn in as a regional legislator in Extremadura, which provided him with legal immunity.
Judicial authorities suspect that this action was designed to protect the individuals involved from standard legal processes. The judge has forwarded the case to the regional high court, citing worries about “possible misuse of parliamentary privilege to hinder justice.”
A Challenge for the Prime Minister
This case places additional strain on Pedro Sánchez, already under fire due to parallel investigations involving his wife, Begoña Gómez, and top members of the Socialist Party. Although the Prime Minister has not been formally linked to the case, critics argue that the repeated emergence of corruption allegations within his immediate circle points to a deeper crisis of accountability.
Calls are growing for greater transparency and institutional reform, with opposition leaders demanding a full parliamentary investigation into the broader use of public appointments for political favors.
Not a Unique Instance
The case against David Sánchez has sparked a wider debate about nepotism and the politicization of public administration. Observers warn that this may not be an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of governance in which public institutions are used as tools for personal or political gain.
The fact that the case involves a regional post—far from the visibility of national politics—only adds to concerns about how deep such practices may run throughout the system.
The upcoming trial of David Sánchez marks a defining moment in Spain’s struggle to uphold ethical standards in public life. It will test not only the independence of the judiciary but also the resolve of the country’s political leadership to confront misconduct within its own ranks.
As public trust erodes and the credibility of the administration is increasingly called into question, the case raises a fundamental issue: can a government promise democratic regeneration while tolerating, or enabling, a culture of privilege behind closed doors?