Setting: the Ferraz headquarters of the Socialist Party. Staging: a grimace of sadness, a succession of rhetorical twists to express his grief over the betrayal of a person—Santos Cerdán—in whom he had long trusted. Pedro Sánchez wanted to make it clear that the problem was within the party, not the government. And that he was pained by the betrayal of a person he considered a friend. By shifting responsibility to the PSOE, it was clear that he didn't intend to take any measures that would affect the government, but, nevertheless, he is also the highest authority in the party. Where are we?
By making the problem a personal betrayal, he seemed to imply that with Santos Cerdán's expulsion, the episode is closed. And that if it has come to this, it is because the president was completely unaware of the operations of that gang. Does this mean that the president is certain that no more information can come out that could compromise him? Since 2015, when he began in Navarra, Santos Cerdán has been doing all sorts of things in the Socialist camp, earning the respect of the president, who gradually incorporated him into his closest group. Did he never receive any clues? Did he never suspect anything? If so, something is wrong with the Socialists' control systems, whether in the party or in the government. Will there be revenge?
The message Sánchez gave is clear: a betrayal by a person he considered a friend. For his part, there's nothing to hide; therefore, reinforce the control systems, audit, and onward. Until the next leak? True, Sánchez knows he has room to maneuver because the opposition lacks the strength to force him into anything. A driven PP, with a rising leader, could have struck the necessary blow to turn the page. But Feijóo has long seemed to be aware of his limitations when it comes to moving from blah blah blah to action. A vote of no confidence would bounce back on his boss and would only serve to clear the way for Sánchez until the end of his term. With Abascal and Ayuso as fellow travelers, Feijóo has a very difficult time capitalizing on the situation.
Sánchez buys time by maintaining the electoral target in 2027. His bet requires one certainty: the conviction that nothing will come of it that directly affects him. And one determination: two years to clean up. His authority is damaged by this episode. Internal enemies and the old socialist guard, with Felipe González, who long ago deserted, seduced by the authoritarian sentiments spreading in Europe, are waiting for his slip with fire. And yet, if he keeps his promises of cleanliness and regeneration, he could end up keeping the right at bay. To a large extent, everything will depend on the next leak.
