The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) announced on June 16, 2025, the expulsion of José Luis Balos, finalizing a sanction file that had been open for 16 months.

This decision occurred shortly after the resignation of Santos Cerdán, the party's Secretary of Organization, after the Civil Guard's Central Operating Unit (UCO) implicated him in a suspected corruption scheme.

Balos, who previously served as the party's Secretary of Organization, has notified the Supreme Court of his decision to resign as a member of parliament and has voluntarily canceled his party membership.

Balos's legal counsel informed the Supreme Court that he had formally relinquished his parliamentary mandate effective at 15:09 on the same day, thus ending his parliamentary immunity.

His voluntary resignation from party affiliation precludes the necessity for the PSOE's leadership to initiate any further disciplinary proceedings against him.

Up until a month prior, PSOE leadership maintained that Balos's sanctions file remained active, signifying that closure was not imminent due to Balos's multiple appeals against what he termed an 'arbitrary' decision.

Party officials highlighted the complexity of the case, as Balos held a significant position within the party structure for four years, necessitating a resolution 'with all guarantees' to prevent any potential litigation.

Reports indicate that only four days prior to Balos's expulsion, Cerdán resigned from the party's Secretary of Organization position following the publication of a UCO report that included audio recordings allegedly linking him to the illicit financial gain from public works contracts.

The Federal Executive of the PSOE has approved Balos's definitive expulsion, marking the end of his longstanding political tenure under the leadership of Pedro Sánchez, during which he played a vital role in both government and party operations.

On February 27, 2024, the party had temporarily suspended Balos's membership, paving the way for potential expulsion because of his choice to retain his parliamentary seat, which is a personal matter, and move to the Mixed Group, disregarding the national leadership's ultimatum regarding the Koldo case.

This action was justified by the party on the grounds of his 'political responsibility,' even though at that time there were no criminal charges against him.

Approximately ten months later, the Supreme Court opened an investigation against Balos on grounds of alleged involvement in a criminal organization, influence peddling, bribery, and misappropriation related to the irregular procurement of medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite these developments, under the PSOE’s Code of Ethics and Conduct, this judicial change did not lead to automatic expulsion, as the regulations stipulated that only a voluntary resignation or a decision to step down from elected positions is mandatory upon the initiation of an oral trial.