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 get together faces its worst disaster in seven years. The scandals embody corruption prices towards Santos Cerdán, Sanchez’s former right-hand man, who was jailed Monday for allegedly taking bribes for development contracts.
Secret recordings additionally caught officers discussing kickbacks and intercourse employees. Sanchez apologized for trusting the mistaken individuals however refused to stop, 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 development proper after profitable a €76 million tunnel challenge. Leaked audio tapes revealed officers making crude feedback about ladies and intercourse employees throughout these offers.
Cerdán denies all the things, 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 huge speech on Saturday, one other scandal erupted. Francisco Salazar, a prime ally set for promotion, resigned over sexual harassment claims.
A number of ladies accused him of constructing inappropriate feedback about their our bodies, inviting them to personal dinners, and asking one to sleep at his residence. Salazar says he “can’t recall” such habits, however stepped down pending investigation.
Amid the chaos, Sanchez changed jailed official Cerdán with Rebeca Torro, a 44-year-old lawyer. The get together additionally promised nameless whistleblower channels and fewer energy for prime officers to stop future corruption.
Opposition chief Alberto Nunez Feijoo known as the Socialists a “mafia” and demanded new elections. His conservative Individuals’s Celebration (PP) drew tens of hundreds 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.
