Spain’s ruling Socialist Celebration bans members from ‘paying intercourse employees’ amid corruption storm

Spain’s ruling Socialist Celebration has banned members from paying intercourse employees after main corruption scandals. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez introduced the brand new rule Saturday, saying anybody caught “soliciting or accepting sexual acts for cash” faces fast expulsion, in accordance with an AFP report.

PM Sanchez fights for survival as allies face jail and harassment claims

This comes as his occasion faces its worst disaster in seven years. The scandals embody corruption costs towards Santos Cerdán, Sanchez’s former right-hand man, who was jailed Monday for allegedly taking bribes for building contracts.

Secret recordings additionally caught officers discussing kickbacks and intercourse employees. Sanchez apologized for trusting the improper folks however refused to give up, saying: “The captain doesn’t abandon ship throughout storms”.

The corruption scandal facilities on Santos Cerdán, who reportedly took bribes from firms wanting authorities contracts. Earlier than his arrest, police discovered proof that he mentioned unlawful funds with José Luis Ábalos, a former transport minister.

One firm concerned, Servinabar, mysteriously switched from occasion planning to building proper after profitable a €76 million tunnel venture. Leaked audio tapes revealed officers making crude feedback about girls and intercourse employees throughout these offers.

Cerdán denies every little thing, claiming he’s a sufferer of “political revenge” for serving to Sanchez achieve energy. In the meantime, the scandal has grown to incorporate investigations into Sanchez’s spouse and brother, although they deny wrongdoing.

Simply hours earlier than Sanchez’s large speech on Saturday, one other scandal erupted. Francisco Salazar, a prime ally set for promotion, resigned over sexual harassment claims.

A number of girls accused him of creating inappropriate feedback about their our bodies, inviting them to non-public dinners, and asking one to sleep at his dwelling. Salazar says he “can’t recall” such conduct, however stepped down pending investigation.

Amid the chaos, Sanchez changed jailed official Cerdán with Rebeca Torro, a 44-year-old lawyer. The occasion additionally promised nameless whistleblower channels and fewer energy for prime officers to forestall future corruption.

Opposition chief Alberto Nunez Feijoo referred to as the Socialists a “mafia” and demanded new elections. His conservative Folks’s Celebration (PP) drew tens of 1000’s to anti-government protests lately.

Even some Socialists like Castilla-La Mancha governor Emiliano García-Web page urged Sanchez to carry a confidence vote, admitting: “I don’t know if we’d win”. Spain faces political turmoil not seen since its return to democracy 50 years in the past.