In recent weeks, Spanish politics has once again been rocked by scandal—this time, not by the opposition, but from within the ruling PSOE party itself. The leaked WhatsApp messages involving former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos have not only embarrassed the government but also revealed a darker, more authoritarian impulse within Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s inner circle. Rather than addressing the content of the revelations or opening the floor to transparency and accountability, Sánchez’s reaction has followed a now-familiar pattern: clamp down, discredit, and control.
The messages—disclosed by Ábalos himself after weeks of political pressure and internal exclusion—expose the inner workings of a government more interested in shielding its power than in upholding democratic norms. Instead of engaging with the ethical implications of the case, Sánchez and his loyalists have chosen to label any dissent or leak as treasonous. This is not governance; this is despotism dressed in democratic robes.
Weaponizing Loyalty
The aftermath of the leaks has revealed a concerning pattern in Sánchez’s approach, where he insists on complete allegiance from his supporters. Those who challenge the party’s stance, even internally, are labeled as defectors. Ábalos, previously a trusted companion, has faced political ostracism not because of any legal conviction, but due to his political unsuitability. The signal to other party members is unmistakable: defy the leader, and you will be eliminated.
This tendency towards authoritarianism is not a recent development. During Sánchez’s tenure, the PSOE has increasingly focused on exerting control rather than building consensus, prioritizing appearance over ethical considerations, and valuing political convenience over honesty. Utilizing internal party mechanisms to silence opposing views and manipulating media to shift focus are strategies that align more with a populist authoritarian than a leader within a European democratic framework.
A Dangerous Precedent
What makes this episode particularly dangerous is the normalization of such behavior. The Spanish public is gradually being conditioned to see these autocratic impulses as normal. Press briefings become more evasive, accountability is buried under layers of bureaucratic spin, and inconvenient voices—whether within the party or in the press—are marginalized.
Democracy does not die in a single moment of chaos; it erodes drip by drip, scandal by scandal, rationalization by rationalization. In choosing to react with vengeance rather than transparency, Sánchez is not just protecting his political capital—he is corroding the very democratic foundations he claims to defend.
The Real Cost
When Sánchez aimed to demonstrate strength and solidarity, the outcome has proven contrary. The Spanish populace recognizes the flimsy pretense of orchestrated stories. Citizens desire not a hidden monarch but a leader ready to face reality, even if it is uneasy.
Pedro Sánchez may well survive this scandal politically, as he has many others, but at what cost? The long-term damage to trust, the silencing of critical voices within the PSOE, and the chilling effect on whistleblowers are costs that Spain will pay for years to come.
In a democracy, the measure of leaders is not in their moments of success, but in their reactions to emergencies. Regarding the WhatsApp leaks, Pedro Sánchez has not passed this evaluation—opting for authoritarianism rather than democratic values.