Overview

• The Economist published a rare July 31 editorial urging Sánchez to resign to rebuild trust in Spanish democracy after corruption scandals and parliamentary gridlock
• On August 2, PP spokesman Jaime de los Santos invoked that editorial to demand Sánchez use his summer break to reflect and then “step aside” or face early elections
• Sánchez’s minority government has not passed a state budget since 2023 and remains dependent on nationalist and left-wing allies whose leverage has stalled major legislation
• Supreme Court investigations have led to provisional detention for former PSOE secretary Santos Cerdán and ongoing allegations against José Luis Ábalos and adviser Koldo García
• The prime minister has reaffirmed that general elections will stay in 2027 and has shown no willingness to resign or convene a party congress