Pedro Sanchez has insisted he will remain in power until the end of the legislature despite mounting pressure over a series of judicial investigations linked to figures within the PSOE.

Speaking at the 27th Congress of the Socialist Youth organisation in Madrid on Sunday, the prime minister launched a defiant defence of his government after another difficult week for his ruling party.

The leader, 54, accused the opposition of trying to bring down his administration through political manoeuvring and vowed to stay the course until at least 2027.

‘The opposition wants Spain to stop or even move backwards,’ Sanchez said.

‘I say to Spaniards not to count on us for that. We are going to maintain our roadmap and continue moving Spain forward until 2027 and beyond.’

The speech came just days after a fresh development in the so-called Leire Diez case, which has intensified scrutiny of the PSOE.

Wednesday also produced one of the most striking political images of the year when officers from the Guardia Civil’s anti-corruption unit, known as the UCO, entered the PSOE headquarters on Madrid’s Ferraz street to request documents and internal records as part of an ongoing investigation.

The scenes fuelled further criticism from opposition parties, which have sought to portray the government as increasingly engulfed by controversy.

Sanchez, however, sought to shift the focus back onto his government’s record in office.

He highlighted a series of reforms implemented during recent years and argued that Spain is currently experiencing one of its strongest periods in decades.

‘We do not deny problems or difficulties,’ he told party members.

‘We have faced all of them, internal and external. But they should not deny the reality of a country that is living through its best moment in recent years.’

The PSOE leader also accused opposition parties of attempting to exploit ongoing investigations for political gain.

‘Faced with falsehoods, we will respond forcefully as well,’ Sanchez said.

‘We will not allow this smooth-talking opposition to mix one thing with another in an attempt to bring down this progressive government through bad practices.’

The speech marks Sanchez’s clearest public response since the latest developments surrounding the investigations and signals that the prime minister has no intention of calling an early election.