The Spanish government, led by Pedro Sánchez, faced a crisis due to a contract for the purchase of bullets from an Israeli company. This deal, valued at over €6 million, was made by the Interior Ministry, headed by Fernando Grande Marlaska. The contract was finalized during Easter week, without the knowledge of coalition partners Sumar, creating significant internal tension.
The timing and nature of the contract caused significant political fallout. Sumar, a key coalition partner, expressed outrage, especially given Spain's condemnation of Israel's actions in Gaza and its support for Palestine. The deal was seen as a contradiction to Spain's international stance and threatened to destabilize the coalition government.
The situation reached a critical point, prompting Sánchez to intervene and order the Interior Ministry to reverse the decision, although the technical details of how to do so were still being worked out.
The Interior Ministry initially justified the contract on economic grounds, citing advice from the State Attorney General's office. However, Sánchez prioritized the political ramifications, recognizing the inherent conflict with Spain's stated support for Palestine and condemnation of Israeli actions in Gaza.
To mitigate the crisis and maintain coalition unity, Sánchez ordered the contract's cancellation. This was a significant political move aiming to pacify internal dissent within his government and avoid a potential collapse of the coalition.