Isabel Pardo de Vera, former Secretary of State for Transport and former president of Adif in Pedro Sánchez’s governments, has announced that she is resigning from the position offered to her by the socialist mayor of A Coruña, Inés Rey, to lead the urban planning of the city with a focus on 2050. The opposition parties, both PP and BNG, questioned the appointment due to Pardo de Vera’s ties to two major real estate operations in the city. In a statement, Pardo de Vera expressed her frustration with politicians who spread lies and drive away technicians and professionals from public-private collaboration, ultimately leading her to decline the positions offered by Rey.
In April, the mayor of A Coruña announced that Pardo de Vera would lead two key urban development projects for the city: the strategic plan outlining its future urban organization and the Coruña Marítima project, which will determine the urbanization of central docks left unused after the port activity was relocated. In her first meeting with Pardo de Vera, Rey praised her expertise, public management experience, and dedication, highlighting her suitability for the roles. However, the opposition criticized the appointment due to Pardo de Vera’s connection to the Ginkgo investment fund, involved in a major urban development in As Xubias.
Pardo de Vera clarified in her statement that she serves as an advisor to the Ginkgo fund based in Luxembourg, specifically for the urban regeneration project of the Gas Factory in Oviedo, emphasizing that she has not been involved in any projects related to A Coruña. Critics, including the PP, also pointed out her partner’s involvement in the ongoing urbanization project of San Pedro de Visma in the city. Despite the controversy, Pardo de Vera dismissed the criticisms as mere slander, while the local government expressed deep regret over her resignation, describing her as a highly qualified individual who fell victim to false accusations and smear tactics.
Having resigned as Secretary of State for Transport in 2023 following the scandal involving trains that did not fit through tunnels in Asturias and Cantabria, Pardo de Vera has faced backlash in previous job offers due to criticism. The association of major rental property owners attempted to recruit her after her government departure but ultimately withdrew the offer due to the negative attention it garnered. Recently, she testified in the National Court investigation of Koldo García for illegal contract awards during the pandemic, denying any involvement in receiving instructions to purchase masks from a company linked to former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos’ advisor.
Overall, the decision by Isabel Pardo de Vera to decline the urban planning positions in A Coruña due to political pressure and accusations of conflicts of interest highlights the challenges faced by public officials transitioning to roles in urban development. Despite her qualifications and experience, the controversies surrounding her previous roles and connections have led to opposition backlash and ultimately her resignation. The situation reflects broader issues of transparency, accountability, and public perception in urban planning processes, underscoring the importance of ethical considerations and avoiding potential conflicts of interest in public-private collaborations for successful city development projects.
