David Sánchez, brother of Spain's prime minister, sentenced to nine‑year public‑office ban

David Sánchez Pérez‑Castejón, the brother of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, was found guilty of prevarication by the Audiencia Provincial of Badajoz for creating a public position that was tailored to his own appointment in the Diputación Provincial of Badajoz. The court imposed a nine‑year disqualification from holding any public office. The judgment also confirmed an 18‑year disqualification for former provincial president Miguel Ángel Gallardo, who was convicted of the same offence.

The ruling held that the post – first as coordinator of conservatory activities and later as head of the Office of Performing Arts – was unnecessary and existed solely to benefit Sánchez. The court did not order Sánchez to return the €340,572 he had received because the prosecution never sought such a civil claim.

Government spokesperson Elma Saiz described the sentence as political persecution and said the government would appeal. Opposition parties, including the PP and Vox, demanded the resignation of Sánchez and called the verdict evidence of corruption within the PSOE. The case adds to a series of recent investigations affecting the governing socialist party, such as the pending trials of Begoña Gómez and former minister José Luis Ábalos.