The three great contradictions of the PSOE with the Leire Díez case
Pedro Sánchez assures that he knew nothing about it: "I would never have tolerated it"
MadridThe Leire case has become a real ticking time bomb for the PSOE. The trickle of information about the investigation and the appearance of names being dragged through the mud has forced the socialists to step forward to distance themselves from what the judge believes was a "criminal structure" to "destabilize" judicial investigations. The mantra repeated in Ferraz is that the accused made "use of the PSOE's name in vain." Pedro Sánchez has finally spoken out, stating during an official visit to the Balkans that everything was done behind his back: "I was never informed about Leire Díez's adventures. I never endorsed and never had knowledge of something I would never have tolerated," he said from Montenegro. The Spanish president acknowledged that everything that has come to light fills him with "disappointment, concern, and indignation" and announced that the PSOE's legal team is studying "what actions will be taken" in "defense of the party's honorability and integrity."
Moncloa sources have insisted on denying any meeting between Sánchez and Díez, after a handwritten note from the PSOE's "plumber" pointing to a "meeting with P.S." and the date 19/02/2025 was published in several media outlets. "We categorically deny any meeting between President Pedro Sánchez and Leire Díez."
The role of Leire Díez
Who was and who is?
In one year, the socialists have gone from denying any relationship with Leire Díez and discrediting the audios that brought her name to light to admitting that when she acted, she did so without the party's authorization. The number three of the PSOE, Rebeca Torró, considers them to be "behaviors of impostors, opportunists, and resentful people" and Minister Félix Bolaños believes that Leire Díez used the Spanish president's name "to give herself importance." Far from it are, for example, the words of the PSOE spokesperson in Congress, Patxi López, who twelve months ago insinuated that it could all be a "media-police setup." Or the socialist voices that called her a "freak" or a "scoundrel".
Also in the spotlight is Cristina Narbona, the president of the PSOE. The Prosecutor's Office wants her to appear as a witness because the Civil Guard has found messages in which Leire Díez spoke to her about "redirecting" the attacks on Pedro Sánchez. "Did you explain it to Santos the other day?" she replied. A year ago, Narbona said she knew nothing about it: "It has been an absolute surprise and I am very upset".
Was she paid by the PSOE?
After his name came to light, the then spokesperson for the PSOE, Esther Peña, assured that Leire Díez "was not on the party payroll". However, Ferraz has ended up admitting that the PSOE of Cantabria paid her 45,000 euros as a technical communication advisor between 2015 and 2017. Furthermore, judge Santiago Pedraz believes she received another 43,000 euros from the PSOE channelled through companies of two of those investigated.
An investigation or compensation?
WhatsApp recordings and conversations would also contradict Leire Díez's initial defense line. In her first public appearance, she framed her meetings as "investigative work" in the context of a book she was not doing "on behalf of anyone." However, in a recording, she is heard claiming that she is the one the PSOE has put "in charge of this" and making it clear that she will transmit the information to Ferraz, as she is "in communication" with Moncloa. Furthermore, the judge believes that Santos Cerdán made the party structure "available" to the alleged scheme so that the PSOE would cover the costs, and maintains that he and Leire Díez met on 22 occasions at the party headquarters.
The Civil Guard also provides an account that goes beyond mere journalistic investigation and outlines some of the favors that the then PSOE militant would have offered. To José Manuel Villarejo and Francisco Martínez, involved in the Kitchen case, she would have presented a deal with the Prosecutor's Office to avoid prison. To Commander Rubén Villalba, being assigned to the embassy in Rome or being an advisor to the director of the Civil Guard. And to Captain Juan Sánchez Yepes, "protection" in the hydrocarbons case in which he is being investigated.
Meetings with the director of the Civil Guard
One of the names that in the last few hours has been in the eye of the hurricane has been that of Mercedes González, the director general of the Civil Guard, because the Central Operative Unit (UCO) points out that she met three times with Leire Díez. Until now, the Spanish government had denied any contact. Just last week, Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska assured that he had not had "any meeting of any kind" with her. But now he has had to backtrack.
The same Mercedes González, in a statement, assures that she cut ties with Leire Díez in April 2025, when she asked her to reinstate Commander Rubén Villalba, who was removed from the force because he is being investigated in the Koldo case. "She had no conversation with Leire related to the plot, facts that bother me. I have no reason to doubt," Marlaska now says. But the PP puts her in the crosshairs and has summoned her next Thursday to the Senate to explain herself.
Santos Cerdán's role
Pedro Sánchez was "convinced" of his "integrity"Santos Cerdán resigned as socialist organization secretary after the Civil Guard's report became known, which placed him as "in charge of managing" illegal commissions in exchange for public works contracts. The PSOE had maintained its confidence in him until then and Pedro Sánchez was "convinced" of his "integrity" until a few hours before. But now the Spanish president includes him in the group of a "few" who engaged in "corrupt practices".
The judge places Santos Cerdán as the "leader" and in charge of making "strategic" decisions, but he denies having had "any organic relationship and much less superiority" with those involved. Furthermore, he assures that "there is no message or communication" that he has issued that "allows it to be sustained." The UCO maintains that the conversations between him and Leire Díez are not on her mobile because they were "deleted".