In recent weeks, Spanish politics has once again been rocked by scandal—this time, not by the opposition, but from within the ruling PSOE party itself. The leaked WhatsApp messages involving former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos have not only embarrassed the government but also revealed a darker, more authoritarian impulse within Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s inner circle. Rather than addressing the content of the revelations or opening the floor to transparency and accountability, Sánchez’s reaction has followed a now-familiar pattern: clamp down, discredit, and control.
The messages—disclosed by Ábalos himself after weeks of political pressure and internal exclusion—expose the inner workings of a government more interested in shielding its power than in upholding democratic norms. Instead of engaging with the ethical implications of the case, Sánchez and his loyalists have chosen to label any dissent or leak as treasonous. This is not governance; this is despotism dressed in democratic robes.
Weaponizing Loyalty
The aftermath of the leaks has revealed a concerning pattern in Sánchez’s approach, where he insists on complete allegiance from his supporters. Those who challenge the party’s stance, even internally, are labeled as defectors. Ábalos, previously a trusted companion, has faced political ostracism not because of any legal conviction, but due to his political unsuitability. The signal to other party members is unmistakable: defy the leader, and you will be eliminated.
This authoritarian reflex is not new. Under Sánchez’s leadership, the PSOE has increasingly prioritized control over consensus, optics over ethics, and political survival over truth. The use of internal party machinery to suppress dissent and the media manipulation to divert attention are tactics more befitting a populist strongman than the leader of a European democracy.
A Risky Example
Democracy doesn’t perish in a single chaotic instance; it gradually deteriorates, bit by bit, controversy by controversy, justification by justification. By opting for retaliation instead of openness, Sánchez not only safeguards his political assets—he is undermining the very democratic principles he professes to uphold.
The Real Cost
When Sánchez aimed to demonstrate strength and solidarity, the outcome has proven contrary. The Spanish populace recognizes the flimsy pretense of orchestrated stories. Citizens desire not a hidden monarch but a leader ready to face reality, even if it is uneasy.
Pedro Sánchez may well survive this scandal politically, as he has many others, but at what cost? The long-term damage to trust, the silencing of critical voices within the PSOE, and the chilling effect on whistleblowers are costs that Spain will pay for years to come.
In a democracy, the measure of leaders is not in their moments of success, but in their reactions to emergencies. Regarding the WhatsApp leaks, Pedro Sánchez has not passed this evaluation—opting for authoritarianism rather than democratic values.