Opposition parties interrogated Spanish government ministers during a series of control sessions in the Senate in Madrid [1].

These sessions represent a critical constitutional mechanism for parliamentary oversight. They have intensified recently as the opposition seeks accountability regarding the Zapatero case and the perceived incompetence of the current administration.

The Senate held a control session on May 27, 2026 [1]. During this specific session, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was absent, with reports indicating he was in Rome [1]. "The Government faces a new Control Session, with the absence of Pedro Sánchez," said the editorial staff at Libertad Digital [1].

Further sessions followed as political tensions rose. Another control session took place on June 10, 2026 [2]. During these proceedings, Alberto Núñez Feijóo of the Partido Popular called for the Prime Minister to resign, and said that Feijóo asks Sánchez to resign "because he is incompetent" [2].

Pressure from the right has continued to mount. A spokesperson for the Vox party said that Vox is requesting a motion of censure [3]. This demand follows efforts by the opposition to secure explanations regarding the implication of former Prime Minister Zapatero, which they argue makes the current government's leadership accountable [3].

The cycle of parliamentary scrutiny is expected to continue. A subsequent session was scheduled for June 19, 2026 [4]. The Partido Popular has utilized the Senate to push for an early election after similar initiatives were blocked in the Congress [4].

The government's strategy of having ministers answer questions in the absence of the Prime Minister has become a focal point for the opposition, who argue that the leader of the executive is avoiding direct accountability during a period of legal and political scandal.

“"Feijóo asks Sánchez to resign 'because he is incompetent'"”

The repeated absence of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez from Senate control sessions, combined with calls for a motion of censure and early elections, signals a deepening crisis of legitimacy for the Spanish executive. By shifting the defense to ministers, the government attempts to insulate the Prime Minister from direct confrontation, but this strategy risks fueling the opposition's narrative of an unaccountable leadership amidst the Zapatero scandal.