Pedro Sánchez faces mounting scandals and a housing crisis as his grip on power wanes
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is confronting a series of corruption probes, a migrant emergency in Ceuta and a looming housing crisis that threaten his political standing.
Pedro Sánchez took a brief hiatus in April 2024 after investigations were opened into his wife Begoña Gómez, issuing a public letter but ultimately remaining in office. Since then, his administration has been plagued by numerous corruption scandals, including trials of his brother David, former party secretary Santos Cerdán, ex-minister José Luis Ábalos and former premier José Luis Rodríguez, which Sánchez frames as lawfare.
A rapid arrival of migrants in Ceuta led to at least 140 fatalities and left thousands stranded, prompting accusations from PP and Vox of secret ties with Morocco and calls for his resignation. Sánchez’s response included a visit to Ceuta followed by a holiday in Lanzarote, during which he shared a summer playlist on social media. Internationally, he has clashed with Elon Musk, Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu over issues ranging from the Iran conflict to anti-Israel measures. Despite steering Spain toward a projected 2% GDP growth in 2026, the escalating housing crisis now threatens to undermine his political survival.
Why it matters
Sánchez’s legal troubles and policy crises could reshape Spain’s political landscape and affect its economic outlook.
How this story developed
- Aug 21 Spanish police detain five suspected migrant smugglers operating from Ceuta
- Sep 16 The Guardia Civil raided a cramped apartment on Real street in central Ceuta, finding 25 migrants - six of them minors - living in squalid conditions.
- Sep 18 The Audiencia Nacional's Contentious‑Administrative Chamber approved the use of Ceuta port for a temporary migrant shelter.
- Sep 18 about 850 migrants were settled in 50 tents at the port while others returned to beach camps
- Sep 19 The port camp filled within hours, leaving many migrants still without shelter on the streets and beaches.
- Sep 24 Sánchez formally requested explanations and corrective measures from Morocco.
- Sep 26 Morocco’s foreign minister announced the country's readiness to receive Ceuta migrants at the UN General Assembly.
- Sep 26 Thousands gathered in Madrid for a second “March for Dignity”, calling for snap elections and the expulsion of migrants who arrived in Ceuta.
- Sep 26 A second “March for Dignity” was held in Madrid, drawing tens of thousands of participants.
- Sep 27 Ceuta residents marched demanding stronger border controls and an end to sexual assaults.
- Sep 28 Frontex added that the western Mediterranean corridor recorded a 34% rise.
- Oct 1 The royal visit, confirmed by sources from the Casa del Rey and the central government, follows weeks of speculation over timing and security. It comes as Madrid seeks to calm the situation ahead of national celebrations and after the king previously denounced the mass arrivals at the Tarajal crossing. Moroccan officials have warned that the trip will not go unanswered, and defense sources are assessing possible retaliatory actions.
- Oct 1 etc
- Oct 2 The specific dates of the royal trip remain pending announcement after weeks of talks.
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