A court in Badajoz, located in Spain's western Extremadura region, issued a ruling on Tuesday banning David Sánchez, the brother of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, from holding public office for a period of nine years. The court convicted him of administrative misconduct, identifying him as a necessary accomplice in the unlawful creation of a public-sector position. While the ruling imposes the nine-year ban on public office and the exercise of voting rights, the court cleared him of charges related to influence peddling, which could have carried a potential prison sentence.
The legal proceedings centered on the role of coordinator of music conservatories in the province of Badajoz. In its judgment, the court determined that the position was neither necessary nor urgent. The magistrates concluded that the role had been established to serve the private interest of its recipient rather than the public interest. The court stated in its ruling that such unethical practices foster corruption, lead to unequal opportunities, and cause harm to democratic institutions.
David Sánchez, who is a composer and orchestra director with a professional background spanning cities including Saint Petersburg, Tokyo, Toulouse, and Madrid, faced trial alongside 10 other defendants. Prosecutors alleged that he benefited from a tailor-made position created in 2016, two years before Pedro Sánchez assumed the role of prime minister. The position, which was under the authority of the Badajoz provincial council—governed at the time by the Socialist Party—was later transformed into the head of the province's performing arts office. David Sánchez remained in this post until at least early 2025.
The legal scrutiny surrounding the Prime Minister's family and associates remains ongoing. Pedro Sánchez's wife, Begoña Gómez, is currently under investigation for alleged influence peddling. Furthermore, former Socialist prime minister Jose Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is also under investigation regarding similar allegations linked to kickbacks. Additionally, José Luis Ábalos, a former right-hand man to the Prime Minister, was sentenced to 24 years in prison for corruption last month.
