President Pedro Sánchez appeared for nearly five hours in the Senate investigation commission on the Koldo case, facing a chaotic and aggressive interrogation from the opposition, particularly the PP. He admitted receiving legal cash payments from the PSOE under 1,000 euros but denied any knowledge of irregularities in his party or the conduct of former collaborators like José Luis Ábalos. Sánchez counterattacked by accusing the PP of corruption and described the session as a 'circus' and 'defamation commission'.
Pedro Sánchez's appearance in the Senate on October 30, 2025, turned into a tense confrontation from the start. The commission president, Eloy Suárez of the PP, was accused by Sánchez of bias, sparking immediate clashes. Opposition senators, like María Caballero of UPN and Ángel Pelayo Gordillo of Vox, tried to corner him with questions about his ties to Ábalos, Koldo García, and Santos Cerdán, including trips in a Peugeot during the PSOE primaries in 2017. Sánchez replied with sarcasm: "Are you seriously asking me this? It depends on the day".
Sánchez admitted receiving cash payments from the PSOE in the past but stressed they never exceeded 1,000 euros, the legal limit, and always with receipts and official account withdrawals. "In the PSOE there are no envelopes [of extra pay], unlike in other parties," he said, alluding to cases like Francisco Granados of the PP, who had a million euros in a bag. He denied knowledge of prostitution scandals linked to Ábalos and Koldo: "Ábalos was a person of my utmost trust, but I was unaware of his habits." He insisted his 2021 dismissal was for post-pandemic renewal, not corruption suspicions.
The most intense moment came with Alejo Miranda de Larra of the PP, who repeatedly interrupted demanding 'yes or no' answers. Sánchez stayed calm, using 'I have no knowledge' for questions on prior warnings about Ábalos, Cerdán's role in ministry visits, or Leire Díez's involvement. He defended his family, denying Begoña Gómez's influence on the Air Europa bailout and rejecting rumors about his late father-in-law. He attacked the PP over cases like Isabel Díaz Ayuso's partner, who allegedly received two million euros in commissions.
Government allies, like Carla Antonelli of Más Madrid, supported Sánchez, while Junts showed harshness due to their break with the PSOE. In the end, Sánchez left relaxed: "Given how it's gone, I'm delighted to be here." He used vintage Dior reading glasses to consult notes, a detail that diverted some media attention.