Twin corruption trials cast a shadow over Spain’s main parties ahead of key elections

With former ministers and party heavyweights being dragged into court, the country is once again confronting the unresolved legacy of political graft and shady backroom deals

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Easter will not have been a particularly celebratory time for Spain's two biggest political parties. In a quirk of judicial fate, both the ruling Spanish Socialist Workers' party (PSOE) and the conservative People's party (PP) are bracing themselves after two high-profile trials involving former senior figures from each party began in Madrid this week.

Though vastly different, both cases have the potential to seriously dent each party's claims of having zero-tolerance for corruption as voters in Andalucia, Spain's most populous autonomous community, prepare for next month's regional election. That will be followed by a general election next year.