Spanish police raid Socialist Party HQ in corruption probe

Spanish police searched the headquarters of the ruling Socialist Party in central Madrid on Wednesday as part of a judicial investigation into alleged financial wrongdoing. The Civil Guard stated the operation was ordered by a National Court judge and focused on possible corruption involving former party members. The probe, led by Judge Santiago Pedraz, centers on Leire Diez, a former Socialist party member accused of attempting to discredit a member of the Civil Guard's anti-corruption unit and influencing state prosecutors. Audio recordings published in Spanish media in 2025 allegedly captured her involvement. Diez has denied wrongdoing and left the party, which claims she acted independently. The raid deals another blow to Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's party, already hit by multiple corruption scandals.