Aldama's Penal Exemption
Sumar calls Aldama's penal exemption 'lamentable', supports government, as Rufián highlights irresponsibility.
The Spanish Supreme Court convicted former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos to 24 years and 3 months in prison for his role in a corrupt mask-procurement scheme during the COVID-19 pandemic — but the ruling's most controversial moment was what happened to the businessman at the center of it all. Víctor de Aldama, the so-called
Coalition partner Sumar called Aldama's freedom from prison "lamentable," but stopped well short of pulling support from the government. "Spain is not asking for elections, it is asking for explanations," said Sumar spokeswoman Aina Vidal, according to El Periódico de Aragón. ERC's Gabriel Rufián echoed the criticism but also refused to trigger early elections.
Ábalos Gets 24 Years, Aldama Walks Free
The Supreme Court handed down a landmark 400-page ruling on June 22, 2026. Former minister Ábalos received 24 years and 3 months for bribery, embezzlement, and leading a criminal organization. His former adviser Koldo García got 19 years and 8 months. The court ordered all three main defendants to repay €431,000 in bribes jointly, according to Diario Córdoba.
Aldama, who received 4 years and 6 months, will serve none of it in prison. A Spanish penal code provision — Article 82 — allows sentence suspensions for those who give "decisive collaboration" to investigators. Aldama must instead perform one year of community service. After the ruling, he said: "The collaboration in this country works. I hope those who come after me collaborate," according to La Provincia.
Sumar Slams the Ruling But Shields the Government
Sumar's Vidal did not hold back on Aldama. She called him a "pijo mafioso" — roughly, a mafia-like wealthy boy — and said his freedom sent a damaging message. But she drew a firm line. The PSOE, she said, must "clean and put order in its house to stop being a drag on the government," according to Diario de Mallorca.
Sumar has signaled that its continued support depends on President Sánchez presenting a "shock plan" against corruption. Sánchez is scheduled to appear in Congress on June 24 to give those explanations. Until then, Sumar's position is clear: condemn the corruption, keep the coalition alive.
Rufián Questions What the Government Is Even Surviving For
ERC's Gabriel Rufián used sharper language about the broader political picture. He focused on the signal Aldama's freedom sends to future witnesses. "What Aldama did is a message: if you collaborate, you are free," he said, according to El Correo Gallego. He also questioned the government's purpose: "Governing is legislating, not resisting."
Rufián's phrase "Aguantar para qué?" — "Endure for what?" — captures the frustration among Sánchez's own allies. They see a government with enough votes to survive no-confidence motions, but not enough political capital to pass major laws. Both Sumar and ERC are pressing hard for concrete results before they reassess their support.
PP Demands Resignation, Government Calls It an Individual Act
Opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo of the PP demanded Sánchez resign immediately. "Sánchez is the political responsible... it is a shame for Spain," he said, according to El Periódico Extremadura. The PP and Junts have tried to force a parliamentary vote calling for early elections, though that effort has so far failed.
The PSOE pushed back by framing Ábalos's crimes as the acts of one rogue former minister. The party also pointed out that the PP's own legal team asked for a lighter sentence for Aldama than the public prosecutor did — attempting to pin some responsibility for Aldama's freedom on the opposition, according to Información.
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