Police search Spain's ruling party in funding probe

The Guardia Civil's Central Operational Unit (UCO) entered the headquarters of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) on Ferraz street in Madrid early Wednesday morning to request documentation as part of an investigation into alleged irregular financing and a suspected illegal funding network, according to sources close to the case. The operation comes as a major political crisis unfolds for Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's government, following the recent judicial imputation of former President Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero in the Plus Ultra airline rescue case. The timing of the UCO operation coincided with a crucial session of congressional control in the lower house, where the opposition parties Popular Party (PP) and Vox planned to question the three government vice presidents, Carlos Cuerpo, Yolanda Diaz, and Sara Aagesen, about their willingness to remain in what the PP characterizes as a "corrupt" government. PP leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo renewed his call for early elections, stating that Spain is in an "agonizing situation" and that the country must give citizens the opportunity to vote immediately. Meanwhile, Pedro Sanchez was in Rome on an official visit, meeting with Pope Leo XIV and holding a press conference, the first since his predecessor Zapatero's imputation. In the Plus Ultra case, Judge Jose Luis Calama indicated in his imputation order that Zapatero's alleged early access to privileged information about the imminent granting of state aid from SEPI constituted evidence of influence peddling in the airline rescue. However, the investigation into alleged illegal financing at Ferraz appears to be a separate proceeding focused on a suspected "caja B" or slush fund within the party. Expert gemologists consulted by the media noted that the valuation of jewelry reportedly linked to the case remains highly speculative and could range from 25 euros to millions of euros depending on various factors.