Ignacio Garriga, the general secretary and vice president of Vox, is facing accusations of charging invoices totaling 52,400 euros over two years to the ultra-right party’s parliamentary group in the Catalan Parliament, of which he is the president. These invoices include expenses for food deliveries through Glovo, hairdressing, dry cleaning, and groceries. Isabel Lázaro, former president of Vox in Tarragona, has sent a letter to the party’s National Executive Committee accusing Garriga of misusing funds. Despite earning an annual salary of 87,276 euros as a deputy, Garriga allegedly charged 10 invoices totaling 14,316 euros in 2021 and 12 totaling 38,085 euros in 2022.
Lázaro claims she requested a meeting with Garriga to discuss the issue, but he only met with her after she informed him of her dismissal as the party’s provincial leader. Vox’s national spokesman, José Antonio Fúster, dismissed Lázaro’s accusations as a “tantrum” due to her exclusion from the electoral lists for the Catalan elections on May 12. Fúster defended Garriga’s expenses as “daily costs” of a parliamentary group and warned of taking action against baseless accusations. The controversy has raised concerns within Vox about the misuse of public funds and the party’s financial management.
The financial accounts of Vox’s parliamentary group in the Catalan Parliament for 2022, the most recent ones available, show a significant depletion of funds. Despite receiving an increased subsidy from the Catalan Parliament, the group went from having a surplus of 249,568 euros in 2021 to a deficit of 246,168 euros in 2022. More than half of the public funding received (522,136 euros) went to the central apparatus of Vox in Madrid for services provided to the parliamentary group. Significant expenses were also allocated to personnel salaries, external consultants, travel, and subsistence, including the alleged charges made by Ignacio Garriga.
The mismanagement of funds within Vox’s parliamentary group in the Catalan Parliament has raised questions about the party’s financial transparency and accountability. Despite receiving a substantial subsidy from the Catalan Parliament, the group’s financial situation deteriorated significantly in a short period. The controversy surrounding Ignacio Garriga’s alleged misuse of funds has sparked internal tensions within Vox, with members questioning the party’s commitment to its anti-corruption and accountability principles. The accusations of financial misconduct have damaged Vox’s reputation and raised concerns among supporters and critics alike.
The allegations against Ignacio Garriga come at a challenging time for Vox as they navigate internal conflicts and external scrutiny. The party’s response to the accusations, as well as their handling of the financial situation in the parliamentary group, will be closely monitored by stakeholders and the public. As Vox grapples with the fallout from this scandal, they will need to address the concerns raised about the party’s integrity and adherence to ethical standards. The outcome of this situation will impact Vox’s credibility and standing in the political landscape, potentially shaping their future trajectory and public perception.
