Latest news with #corrupción
Khaleej Times
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
Spain PM announces anti-graft plan as scandal rocks govt
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Wednesday announced an anti-corruption plan designed with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development in a bid to salvage confidence in his scandal-hit government. But parliamentary allies expressed scepticism, maintaining doubt over the minority leftist coalition's viability after the implication of two former Socialist heavyweights and close Sanchez allies in a graft scandal. The crisis is particularly sensitive for a leader who came to power in 2018 vowing to clean up Spanish politics after the rival conservative Popular Party (PP) was convicted in its own graft affair. Sanchez announced a 15-point plan drawn up with the Paris-based OECD's division for anti-corruption and integrity in government during an address to parliament. They include the creation of an independent public integrity agency to fight corruption, with Sanchez saying existing mechanisms have "generated inefficiencies and vacuums of coordination". Enhanced data analysis aided by artificial intelligence will scan for "vulnerabilities" in public tenders, said Sanchez, after his former right-hand men were suspected of receiving kickbacks in the improper awarding of such contracts. Top officials would also undergo "random and annual wealth checks" during their time in the job, while parties and foundations receiving public funds above 50,000 euros ($58,500) would be obliged to face external audits. Whistleblowers would receive greater protection, specialised sections in courts would be created and the criminal code reformed to harshen punishments for offences against the public administration, added Sanchez. A bombshell police report into the scandal released last month implicated ex-transport minister Jose Luis Abalos and former top Socialist official Santos Cerdan, both key figures in Sanchez's rise to power. Separate investigations are underway against Sanchez's wife, brother and Socialist-appointed top public prosecutor, ratcheting up the pressure on one of Europe's longest-serving leftist leaders. Sanchez revealed he had considered resigning over the Cerdan affair, apologising but vowing not to "throw in the towel" and call early elections. PP leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo dismissed Sanchez's explanations and reforms, saying the Socialists had "operated like a criminal organisation" for years. "We don't know where your direct responsibility begins and where it ends... How will you get us out of this nightmare if you got us into it?" he replied to Sanchez, demanding elections. The array of leftist and regional separatist parties propping up the government had demanded firm anti-corruption measures as the price for their continued support. Deputy prime minister Yolanda Diaz of Sumar, the Socialists' far-left junior coalition partner, called Sanchez "honest" but said "progressive citizens are worried about corruption", urging him to "change direction". Catalan separatist party Junts, whose seven MPs are crucial for passing legislation, warned Sanchez they were "not here to put up with this farce". "You are in overtime, and overtime does not last a whole term," Junts parliamentary spokeswoman Miriam Nogueras told Sanchez. For Gabriel Rufian of left-wing Catalan separatists ERC, "the people must decide" through elections if corruption "permeated" the Socialists rather than being confined to a few individuals.
Washington Post
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Spain's PM refuses to step down and announces anti-graft plan despite corruption inquiries
MADRID — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said he would not step down from office despite mounting corruption cases involving his Socialist Party, and instead, presented anti-corruption measures that immediately received a lukewarm response even from some left-wing allies. Speaking in parliament Wednesday at an extraordinary session about a corruption case involving a former Socialist official, the Spanish leader took responsibility for his poor judgement but repeatedly said he would not step down, calling himself 'an honest politician' with 'the pride of leading an exemplary party.'
Associated Press
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Spain's PM refuses to step down and announces anti-graft plan despite corruption inquiries
MADRID (AP) — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said he would not step down from office despite mounting corruption cases involving his Socialist Party, and instead, presented anti-corruption measures that immediately received a lukewarm response even from some left-wing allies. Speaking in parliament Wednesday at an extraordinary session about a corruption case involving a former Socialist official, the Spanish leader took responsibility for his poor judgement but repeatedly said he would not step down, calling himself 'an honest politician' with 'the pride of leading an exemplary party.' 'I will not throw in the towel,' Sánchez repeated. The left-wing Spanish leader spoke about a week after a Supreme Court judge ordered the pretrial detention of Santos Cerdán, a former aide to the prime minister and previously the third-most senior member of the Socialist Party, over allegations that he received kickbacks for public works contracts. A former Sánchez minister is also ensnared in the corruption investigation involving Cerdán, who has denied the allegations. Facing separate corruption or misconduct probes are the prime minister's former attorney general, brother and wife, all of whom have denied wrongdoing. Sánchez himself has not been accused in any of the cases. Over the weekend, an official that Sánchez had just promoted as part of his Socialist Party's shake-up resigned over sexual misconduct allegations. On Wednesday, Sánchez presented 15 anti-corruption measures, which included bringing more transparency to political and public financing and working with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development to crack down on graft. The move immediately drew ridicule from opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the conservative People's Party, who urged Sánchez to take responsibility for his party's actions, report what he knew and call early elections. 'It's not that it's the only decent way out,' Feijóo said, 'but you have no alternative.' The Spanish leader has been in power since 2018 and leads a minority coalition government with leftwing allies. His government has been unable to pass legislation and in recent weeks, its future has looked increasingly uncertain amid the corruption probes. Leaders from far-left and nationalist parties allied with Sánchez's Socialists have so far not supported the opposition's calls for early elections. On Wednesday, some leaders left the door open, however, to letting voters decide on the government's future if the corruption inquiries escalated.
France 24
09-07-2025
- Politics
- France 24
Spain PM announces anti-graft plan as scandal rocks govt
The implication of two former Socialist heavyweights and close Sanchez allies in a graft scandal has rocked the minority leftist coalition and thrown its viability into doubt. The crisis is particularly sensitive for a leader who came to power in 2018 vowing to clean up Spanish politics after the rival conservative Popular Party (PP) was convicted in its own graft affair. Sanchez announced a 15-point plan drawn up with the Paris-based OECD's division for anti-corruption and integrity in government during an address to parliament. They include the creation of an independent public integrity agency to prevent, supervise and prosecute corruption, with Sanchez saying existing mechanisms have "generated inefficiencies and vacuums of coordination". Enhanced data analysis aided by artificial intelligence will scan for "vulnerabilities" in public tenders, said Sanchez, after his former right-hand men were suspected of receiving kickbacks in the improper awarding of such contracts. Top officials would also undergo "random and annual wealth checks" during their time in the job, while parties and foundations receiving public funds above 50,000 euros ($58,500) would be obliged to face external audits. Whistleblowers would receive greater protection, specialised sections in courts would be created and the criminal code reformed to harshen punishments for offences against the public administration, added Sanchez. A bombshell police report into the scandal released last month implicated ex-transport minister Jose Luis Abalos and former top Socialist official Santos Cerdan, both key figures in Sanchez's rise to power. Sanchez revealed he had considered resigning over the affair, apologising but defying the opposition by vowing not to "throw in the towel" and call early elections. Government wobbles Since the police report, Cerdan has relinquished his powerful post as Socialist organisation secretary and as an MP, while the party definitively expelled Abalos. The array of far-left and regional separatist parties propping up the government had demanded firm anti-corruption measures as the price for their continued support. Sanchez described the plan as "the biggest boost" to the fight against corruption in Spain "in recent decades". But PP leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo dismissed Sanchez's explanations and reform efforts, saying the Socialists had "operated like a criminal organisation" for years. "We don't know where your direct responsibility begins and where it ends... How will you get us out of this nightmare if you got us into it?" he replied to Sanchez, demanding elections. Separate investigations are underway against Sanchez's wife, brother and Socialist-appointed top public prosecutor, ratcheting up the pressure on one of Europe's longest-serving leftist leaders.
Bloomberg
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Spain's Sanchez Announces Anti Corruption Laws Amid Graft Probe
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced a barrage of anti-corruption mechanisms as he seeks to overcome a graft scandal involving two close collaborators that has rocked his government. Speaking in parliament on Wednesday, the Spanish premier said he considered resigning following revelations of corruption in his party, but will stay in his post because he didn't do anything wrong and he has a political project to work on.
