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

Key facts

• David Sánchez, brother of Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has been banned from public office for nine years.
• He was convicted of administrative misconduct by a Spanish court in Badajoz.
• The conviction relates to his 2017 hiring as coordinator of public music schools.
• The court found the position was created for private interest and was neither necessary nor urgent.
• David Sánchez was acquitted of influence peddling charges.
• Nine co-defendants also received nine-year bans from public office for administrative misconduct.
• Miguel Ángel Gallardo, former PSOE leader in Extremadura, received an 18-year ban.

David Sánchez, the brother of Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has been banned from holding public office for nine years after being convicted of administrative misconduct. The Badajoz Provincial Court ruled that the position of music conservatory coordinator, which Sánchez was hired for in 2017, was neither necessary nor urgent and was created in his particular interest, not the general interest.

Sánchez was acquitted of influence peddling charges, but the verdict intensifies political tensions in Spain, with the Prime Minister accusing his opponents and segments of the judiciary of politically motivated campaigns. The case originated from a complaint by Manos Limpias, a group with far-right links.

This conviction follows other legal troubles for individuals connected to Prime Minister Sánchez. His wife, Begoña Gómez, faces trial on charges including embezzlement and influence peddling. The leader of the conservative People's party, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, highlighted these cases as evidence that no one is above the law, while the government's transport minister suggested the judiciary was being used to undermine the government.

Nine of Sánchez's co-defendants also received nine-year bans from public office for administrative misconduct. Miguel Ángel Gallardo, the former PSOE leader in Extremadura, was banned for 18 years after being found guilty of two counts of misconduct. The verdicts are subject to appeal.