David Sánchez, the brother of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, denied having administrative knowledge of his own 2017 hiring process during court testimony.
The case centers on allegations of prevarication and influence-peddling. Because the defendant is the sibling of the nation's top leader, the proceedings carry significant political weight regarding government integrity, and the potential for nepotism in public administration.
Testifying before the Audiencia Provincial in Badajoz on May 28, 2026 [2], Sánchez addressed his appointment as the coordinator of conservatories at the Diputación de Badajoz in 2017 [1]. He said he had no direct information about the process and did not intervene in the administrative steps required for the position.
"No he tenido información directa sobre el proceso ni he intervenido," Sánchez said [2].
The prosecution's case also involves the hiring of Luis María Carrero, a friend of Sánchez, as a coordinator of cross-border activities. Sánchez said he had no involvement in Carrero's appointment, stating that he lacked the authority to influence such administrative decisions.
"Ni tengo capacidad de nada ni información administrativa," Sánchez said [2].
The trial examines whether the appointments were the result of improper influence or if they followed standard legal procedures. Sánchez's defense rests on the assertion that he was not a participant in the decision-making chain for either role, a claim that contradicts the charges of influence-peddling brought by the prosecution.
Court officials in Badajoz continue to review the evidence to determine if the 2017 appointments violated Spanish administrative law.
“"No he tenido información directa sobre el proceso ni he intervenido,"”
This legal battle tests the boundaries of political accountability in Spain. By denying any administrative role in his appointment, David Sánchez is attempting to decouple his professional history from the political influence of his brother. If the court finds that influence-peddling occurred, it could create a significant political liability for Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, regardless of whether the Prime Minister was personally involved.
