Spain's Supreme Court sentencing of ex‑minister José Luis Ábalos fuels political clash

On 23 June 2026 the Spanish Supreme Court sentenced former transport minister José Luis Ábalos to 24 years in prison and his associate Koldo García to 19 years for their role in a fraudulent mask‑procurement scheme. The court also suspended the prison entry of businessman Víctor de Aldama, who had been sentenced to four and a half years for corruption, pending his cooperation with investigators.

The rulings triggered sharp political reactions. People's Party representative Nando Pastor in the Valencian regional council accused Socialist leader Diana Morant of “hiding” and called for an urgent national election. ERC spokesperson Gabriel Rufián denounced Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, demanding the government stop relativising the verdicts and focus on legislation, saying the decisions expose deeper corruption and require accountability.