Pedro Sanchez has won the backing of his party amid an ongoing corruption probe that threatens to topple his government.
The Socialist prime minister met with his party (PSOE) on Saturday to vote on a reshuffle of the executive – including keeping him as leader.
READ MORE: What is the Koldo Case currently rocking the Spanish Government?
It comes amid the ongoing ‘Koldo Case’, which is investigating an alleged multi-million euro kickback scheme involving some of Sanchez’s closest allies – chiefly Koldo Garcia, Jose Luis Abalos and Santos Cerdan, the latter of whom has been jailed ahead of trial.
In a defiant address to the so-called Federal Committee, Sanchez described himself as the ‘captain’ of the PSOE ship, sailing through rough seas in the wake of what he called a ‘painful betrayal.’
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He told colleagues: ‘My heart is broken, but my determination is intact.’
He acknowledged public and internal disappointment and issued a public apology for placing trust ‘in people who did not deserve it.’
As part of an effort to draw a line under the crisis, Sanchez unveiled a 13-point anti-corruption plan aimed at restoring faith in the party’s integrity.
READ MORE: Majority of Spain want Pedro Sanchez to resign or call an election, poll suggest
Despite the unrest, the Committee endorsed a reshaped Executive Committee with overwhelming support: 315 votes in favour, just one against.
Sanchez, emotionally charged but politically firm, reiterated the value of the party’s mission: ‘The political project is worth it. If anyone had doubts, this government will defeat corruption – inside and outside our ranks.’
He said: ‘I want to apologise once again because I was wrong to place my trust in people who did not deserve it.’
However, the PSOE general secretary distanced himself from the right and the far right on the matter of corruption.
He continued: ‘We are not like the others. We are not like the right or the far right and those who have tried to tarnish our acronyms. Let no one try to make us equal in indecency with them.
‘This party is made up of good people, honest people, hard-working people, humble people who wouldn’t dip their hands in the till.
‘For them, we will always act with the utmost force and never turn a blind eye. We don’t obstruct like others, and we take immediate action against anyone who isn’t up to the task.’
He added: ‘I am aware of my duty as Secretary General and as President of the Government of Spain. You elected me as the captain of this ship, and the captain doesn’t back down when the sea is rough.
‘He stays to weather the storm, to save the course, and to regain the port. And I do it, and we do it, for one word, just one word, that is indelible in our socialist commitment: responsibility.’
While he may have the support of his party, at least on the surface, Sanchez will have to work hard to convince the electorate.
It comes after a poll this week revealed a majority of Spaniards want him to resign or call a snap election following the emergence of the corruption scandal.
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