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Euractiv
2 days ago
- Politics
- Euractiv
Even corruption probes can't ground Sánchez's holiday plans
As Pedro Sánchez lands in the Canary Islands for his annual summer retreat, the turbulence rocking his government is still waiting for him on the mainland Euractiv is part of the Trust Project Inés Fernández-Pontes Euractiv Jul 28, 2025 05:40 4 min. read Analysis, News Based on factual reporting, although it Incorporates the expertise of the author/producer and may offer interpretations and conclusions., Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. MADRID – Under fire at home and in the air, the Spanish prime minister is learning that even a corruption scandal can't cancel summer in the Canary Islands. A bombshell police report released in early June has detonated what many now call the gravest crisis of Sánchez's time in office – a sprawling 'mafia-like' corruption scheme allegedly rooted deep within the ruling Socialist Party (PSOE). Before boarding his return flight from Paraguay, where he had wrapped up a three-day tour of Latin America, Sánchez calmly told journalists that he 'felt strong," despite the political crisis that had forced some of his key allies to step down. But the scandal is likely to follow him to his annual summer retreat. At a tense Tuesday Council of Ministers meeting, Sánchez's government pushed through the first stage of a new state secrets law – legislation that would hand the executive power to decide what constitutes an official secret. The move raised eyebrows across Madrid, with critics condemning the new bill as a move to shield the prime minister and his inner circle from judicial and public accountability. Further reports on the corruption probe are expected before the end of summer. Even within Sánchez's ranks, unease is growing, as Defence Minister Margarita Robles reportedly refused to uphold the law. The handling of state secrets, until now overseen by the national intelligence centre under her ministry, will now fall under the ministry of the presidency, justice, and relations with the courts. The defence ministry did not respond to Euractiv's request for comments. The Dominican connection The new law could also hinder ongoing investigations tied to the prime minister, particularly the hundreds of undisclosed, taxpayer-funded flights that have drawn increasing scrutiny as part of the broader PSOE corruption scandal. Sanchez has taken 582 flights in five years, according to an investigation published by El Mundo, more than any of his predecessors. But one destination stood out. Among hundreds of flights, 63 official flights were to the Dominican Republic, as first reported by Spanish outlet The Objective. The country appears central to the probe into the alleged network of kickbacks, rigged tenders, and influence peddling surrounding ex-Transport Minister, José Luis Ábalos. Testimony from businessman Víctor de Aldama – said to be a middleman linking private firms to government contracts – placed the Dominican Republic at the heart of the operation. Prosecutors claimed bribes paid to Aldama's Dominican business network were laundered and repatriated to Spain as cash, then distributed among officials tied to the plot. In April, witnesses testifying before the Spanish Supreme Court, admitted making cash payments in the Dominican Republic to =former advisor to ex-Transport Minister Ábalos -and key facilitator in the plot- Koldo García's, whose brother allegedly collected the cash following Aldama's orders. Public accountability Last year, Defence Minister Margarita Robles reported to the Senate, at the request of the main opposition Popular Party, that the Caribbean island's strategic position made it a crucial destination for layovers and technical stops. The, she said, was the reason behind the 62 trips – not 63, she noted. But to this day, the government has repeatedly refused to confirm the identity of the passengers of those flights, f uelling suspicions that the list could potentially include prosecuted officials in the kickback scheme. That wall of silence is starting to crack. A binding resolution published last Sunday by Spain's Transparency Council – following a request from media outlet El Debate – will force Sánchez to release full details of 122 flights taken in 2023 and 2024: including passenger names, destinations, dates and reasons for travel. Access to that information is of "great importance" as it "clearly and directly contributes to the control of public activity, the management of resources and the accountability to which the administration is bound," the report states. However, with the new official secrets law set to be approved by the Spanish parliament after the summer recess, critics claim the executive will be able to shield itself from further revelations, reports, and leaks crippling Sánchez's tarnished government. For now, the prime minister may be soaking up the sun in Lanzarote, but back in Madrid, the heat is only rising. (mm) Euractiv is part of the Trust Project
Economist
3 days ago
- Politics
- Economist
Pedro Sánchez is fighting for his political life
AS SPANIARDS GO off on their summer holidays, Pedro Sánchez must be breathing a huge sigh of relief. In June, the shaken prime minister offered profuse apologies after Santos Cerdán, his right-hand man in the ruling Socialist Party, was remanded in prison to face charges of taking at least €620,000 ($730,000) in bribes on public-works contracts. Worse, Mr Cerdán's predecessor in the role, José Luis Ábalos, also faces trial before the Supreme Court for corruption (both men proclaim their innocence). Mr Sánchez told parliament this month that he considered resigning but 'throwing in the towel is not an option.' Neither his party nor his parliamentary allies (he leads a minority coalition government) have yet forced him to. But he is now on borrowed time, at the mercy of events. With two years to go before the next election must be called 'the government is a lame duck,' admits a senior Socialist.
21-07-2025
- Politics
Albanian court begins corruption trial against former Prime Minister Sali Berisha
TIRANA, Albania -- An Albanian court on Monday started the trial on corruption charges of former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, who leads the opposition Democratic Party. The trial for Berisha, 80, at the Special Court for Corruption and Organized Crime, which covers cases involving senior officials and politicians, also includes his son-in-law and three other people. In October 2023, prosecutors put Berisha under investigation for allegedly abusing his post to help his son-in-law, Jamarber Malltezi, privatize public land to build 17 apartment buildings in the capital, Tirana. In September 2024 Berisha was formally charged with corruption in connection with a property deal. He has denied the charges, describing them as political repression ordered by Prime Minister Edi Rama of the left-wing Socialist Party. On Monday, Berisha reported to the prosecutor's office, as required every two weeks, but said he did not go to the court where he was represented by his lawyers. 'My presence or not is set from my lawyers and naturally in line with the laws,' he told journalists. 'That is a session where my lawyers will present their claims.' Berisha was prime minister from 2005-2013 and served as president from 1992-1997. He was re-elected as a lawmaker for the center-right conservative Democratic Party in the 2024 parliamentary elections. The United States government in May 2021 and the United Kingdom in July 2022 barred Berisha and close family members from entering their countries because of his alleged involvement in corruption. Corruption remains a top issue that has continuously negatively affected Albania since the fall of the communist regime in 1990. Beside Berisha, former President Ilir Meta and members of Berisha's opposition coalition have also been detained and investigated on corruption charges. Both say the charges are politically motivated, accusing the government of corruption. In October last year, Tirana started full membership negotiations with Brussels on aligning with the European Union on the rule of law, the functioning of democratic institutions and the fight against corruption. Albania aims to join the bloc by 2030, according to Rama.
New York Post
19-07-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Voters' Zohran Mamdani fears: Letters to the Editor — July 19, 2025
The Issue: New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani's socialist, anti-police, antisemitic record. Zohran Mamdani is like an old-time politician: One who panders to voters by saying he will do one thing while he has talked, for years, about doing just the opposite ('Zohran tells rich to Grin & $hare it,' July 16). He has already fooled that idiot Rep. Jerrold Nadler into endorsing him. Next he will get Sen. Chuck Schumer — who is looking to save his seat from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez — to tell us that he, too, is endorsing Mamdani and that Mamdani is a friend of Israel. They are all phonies and liars of the first degree. You simply cannot believe a word that comes out of their mouths. The next thing they say will be that Mamdani really loves the Jewish people and that he is going to convert to Judaism. The problem is that some Jews in New York City would probably believe it. Alan Brooks Brooklyn If Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries endorse mayoral candidate Mamdani, then there needs to be a vote on the floor to change the 'Democratic Party' to the 'Socialist Party.' Robert Neglia The Bronx It's ironic that Mamdani is campaigning against unaffordable housing, high grocery prices, poor education and high costs of living when all those things are the result of Democrats' policies. They have employed a huge number of unnecessary, unproductive bureaucrats, who have produced destructive regulation, thus creating corruption, costly delays for business and high taxes. They also created the most expensive failed education system in the world. Mamdani is selling 'snake oil,' claiming he can solve the unaffordable housing crisis by simply repeating the Democratic failed system of regulation, high taxes, unaffordable housing and pushing out the city's productive, wealthy taxpayers. In addition to that, Mamdani and much of the left essentially support Hamas and its antisemitic policies. Anton Loew Manhattan We're about 100 days out from the election and the talking heads act like the New York City mayoral election has been called and Mamdani has won. After the last few presidential elections, I do not know how anyone is confident about a pick right now. The city appropriately has a wide field coupled with a frustrated electorate — it's anyone's game. Deirdre Harvey Valley Stream Democrats should be worried about Mamdani. He's like a snake-oil salesman: full of charm but his platform is for the radical left. Defunding the police appeals to insurrectionists, lawbreakers and those who lack common sense. And that's just one of his off-the-wall ideas. He talks about the rich like they're dirt. Well, to clue him in, that's who will be paying for his giveaways. Brenda Hodgkiss Atlantic Highlands, NJ To everyone wondering if Mamdani is a communist, there's an old, old saying: If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck. Bruce Collins Middletown, NJ Mamdani the commie is right: Businesses will not leave New York City if he is elected mayor. To make a terrible comparison, businesses are like a domestic-abuse victim who keeps returning to an abusive spouse, hoping to be treated better. It's not going to happen. Brien Hollowood Saratoga Springs To understand who Mamdani is, one needs to look no further than at the people who tripped over each other to greet him in Washington, DC ('AOC's party favor for her fellow lefty,' July 17). The usual lefty lunatics: AOC, Bernie Sanders, Nadler, Pramila Jayapal, Ayanna Pressley and others are on the socialist bandwagon, swooning over him. That should be all you need to know to conclude that Mamdani is a bad choice for New York City. Bo Madden Jupiter, Fla. It's time to get serious, New York; this lunatic Mamdani must and can be defeated. Several hundred thousand voted for him, but there are millions who didn't vote at all. They must mobilize against him. Sharon Wylie Westport, Conn. Want to weigh in on today's stories? Send your thoughts (along with your full name and city of residence) to letters@ Letters are subject to editing for clarity, length, accuracy, and style.
Observer
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Observer
Sanchez offers new measures to root out graft
MADRID: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez unveiled a plan to root out corruption on Wednesday, seeking to maintain parliamentary support for his government after senior members of his governing Socialist Party were accused of taking bribes. A Supreme Court judge last month ordered the pre-trial detention of Santos Cerdan, the former number three in the party, over allegations that he received and distributed kickbacks in exchange for awarding public works contracts. Cerdan denies the allegations, which are part of a wider corruption inquiry that has led to opposition calls for a snap election that threaten to destabilise Sanchez's government. Sanchez, who is Secretary General of the Socialist Party, told parliament at an extraordinary session on the case that he had briefly considered quitting but decided to stay on, arguing that he himself had done no wrong. "I am a clean politician, I will not throw in the towel," he said. Sanchez, who again rejected calls for an early election, announced 15 measures including preventing companies found guilty of bribery from winning government procurement contracts and working with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's anti-corruption team to crack down on graft. Alberto Nunez Feijoo, leader of the opposition People's Party, urged Sanchez to assume responsibility for his party's actions, report what he knew about the case and call elections. "It's not only the decent way out, but you have no choice," Feijoo said. — Reuters
