Spanish Prime Minister’s Brother Convicted of Administrative Misconduct, Banned from Office for Nine Years

On Tuesday, July 14 2026, the Provincial Court of Badajoz sentenced David Sanchez Perez-Castejon, brother of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, to a nine-year disqualification from holding any public office and from exercising voting rights. The court found him guilty of administrative misconduct for a 2017 appointment as coordinator of the province’s music conservatories. The related charge of influence peddling – which could have carried a prison term – was dismissed.

Spanish premier’s brother banned from public office for 9 years over misconductSpanish PM Pedro Sanchez's Brother Banned From Public Office in Devastating Corruption BlowSpanish PM's brother banned from public office for nine years

The contested post was created in 2017 by the Extremadura provincial government to oversee Badajoz’s conservatories, a role the court described as “neither necessary nor urgent.” The appointment coincided with Pedro Sanchez’s rise to the leadership of the Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) while the party was still in opposition. Over the past two years the Sánchez government has been beset by multiple corruption probes: a former close aide received a 24-year prison sentence, and in May 2026 Spanish police searched the PSOE headquarters for material linked to a state-run company scandal.

The Independent

• David Sanchez Perez-Castejon – convicted brother, professional musician.

The Independent

• Pedro Sanchez – Prime Minister of Spain since 2018, leader of the PSOE.

The Independent

• Ester Muñoz – spokesperson for the centre-right Partido Popular (PP).

The Jerusalem Post

• Óscar Puente – Spain’s Transport Minister.

The Jerusalem Post

• Judge Emilio Francisco Serrano – author of the unanimous judgment.

Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez's Brother Banned From Public Office in Devastating Corruption Blow

• Miguel Ángel Gallardo – former president of the Provincial Council of Badajoz, also sentenced to nine years.

Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez's Brother Banned From Public Office in Devastating Corruption Blow

• Annual salary attached to the Badajoz conservatory coordinator post: €55,000 (? KES 7.8 million).

Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez's Brother Banned From Public Office in Devastating Corruption Blow

• Nine additional defendants received identical nine-year bans, including former provincial council president Gallardo.

Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez's Brother Banned From Public Office in Devastating Corruption Blow

The ruling intensifies pressure on the PSOE, which already relies on a fragile parliamentary coalition. Opposition parties argue the case demonstrates systemic nepotism, while analysts note the judgment as a rare instance of a sitting head of government’s immediate family being held accountable, potentially prompting calls for early elections.

Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez's Brother Banned From Public Office in Devastating Corruption Blow

The government’s spokesperson, Elma Saiz, said Madrid “respects the judicial process and is confident higher courts will ultimately clear David Sanchez.” Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has characterized the case as a “politically motivated campaign driven by the far right,” maintaining that the allegations are part of a smear effort. The court itself emphasized that the position was created to serve the private interest of its recipient, not the public interest.

The Jerusalem PostThe IndependentSpanish PM Pedro Sanchez's Brother Banned From Public Office in Devastating Corruption Blow

PP spokesperson Ester Muñoz declared, “Today is a historic day. In any country, this would bring down a government.” Right-wing pressure groups had previously urged prison sentences for the defendants. Transport Minister Óscar Puente accused the judiciary of acting “with the sole purpose of bringing down the government, given the inability to do so at the ballot box.”

Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez's Brother Banned From Public Office in Devastating Corruption Blow

All sources agree the influence-peddling charge was dismissed, but no prison term was imposed, leaving a gap in accountability for alleged direct pressure from the prime minister. Pedro Sanchez has not issued a formal statement since the verdict.

The Jerusalem Post

• “The defendants engaged in a grossly arbitrary exercise of power with the sole aim of favoring specific individuals,” — Provincial Court of Badajoz

The Jerusalem Post

• “to serve the private interest of its recipient and not the public interest.” — Court ruling

Spanish PM's brother banned from public office for nine years

• “Today is a historic day. In any country, this would bring down a government.” — Ester Muñoz, Partido Popular spokesperson

Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez's Brother Banned From Public Office in Devastating Corruption Blow

• “the sole purpose of bringing down the government, given the inability to do so at the ballot box.” — Óscar Puente, Transport Minister

Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez's Brother Banned From Public Office in Devastating Corruption Blow

The judgment can be appealed to higher courts, and the PSOE faces mounting calls for early elections as the coalition’s stability is tested in upcoming parliamentary sessions.

Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez's Brother Banned From Public Office in Devastating Corruption Blow