Spain's coalition partners increase pressure on PSOE over corruption scandal

The left-wing coalition partners of the Spanish government are dramatically escalating their tone towards the PSOE. Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun demanded on Saturday in Barcelona that the PSOE headquarters on Ferraz Street must no longer be «a burden on the progressive majority». Urtasun thus spoke out in favour of a kind of party purge in light of growing corruption allegations.

Pressure from multiple sides simultaneously

The criticism is coming from multiple sides at once. The Sumar ministers Bustinduy, Urtasun and García pressed Sánchez to finally take concrete measures, rather than wait for explanations until June 24. The PNV, an important pillar of support for the government, is also growing impatient: The Basque party criticised that «the atmosphere has become unbearable».

Paradox of the situation: While the coalition partners are publicly pressuring the PSOE, they simultaneously reaffirm their support for the Sánchez government. Sumar, Comuns, Izquierda Unida and Más Madrid presented themselves as a «clean» alternative and warned that the right-wing opposition must not use corruption cases as a pretext to topple the government. The message is clear: We stay, but only if you act.

Cracks in the coalition become visible

Pressure on Sánchez is mounting from all sides. PP General Secretary Miguel Tellado seized the opportunity to call on the PNV to choose between Sánchez and democracy. Sánchez himself appeared on Saturday at the Congress of Socialist Youth without having addressed the allegations so far. The coalition still holds – but the crack becomes more visible every day.