Madrid: Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro S¡nchez, is under increasing pressure in a corruption scandal involving his party. On Monday, a Spanish judge ordered Santos Cerd¡n, the former number three in the ruling left-wing party and a member of parliament, to be remanded in custody.
According to Ghana News Agency, the 56-year-old is suspected of membership of a criminal organization, bribery, and influence peddling, as stated by the judicial press office on its website after Cerd¡n was questioned. The possibility of avoiding detention by posting bail was rejected. Cerd¡n denies the allegations and perceives himself as the victim of a conspiracy.
Corruption scandals have been plaguing S¡nchez's minority government for some time. Amongst those under investigation are former transport minister Jos© Luis balos, S¡nchez's wife Bego±a, the head of government's brother David S¡nchez, and possibly soon also Justice Minister F©lix Bola±os.
S¡nchez addressed the public after the allegations against Cerd¡n became known in early June. "I apologize to the citizens," he said. The new revelations filled him with "great indignation and deep sadness." He announced an external audit of the finances of his Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) and a restructuring of the party's executive.
