The Popular Party is closely monitoring the latest developments in the Koldo case following the recent report from the Central Operational Unit (UCO) of the Civil Guard, which is closing in on former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos and placing him on the brink of indictment by the Supreme Court. The party has called for an “urgent” meeting of its executive committee on Sunday, ahead of its usual Monday gathering, to assess the situation and determine a response to the new information. The party’s general secretary, Cuca Gamarra, will address the media following the meeting. Despite the seriousness of the situation, top party sources are currently ruling out the possibility of a motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
The revelations from the UCO report began to surface in the media on Wednesday afternoon, just as the PP was grappling with internal turmoil over the fact that all parliamentary groups, including their own, had voted in favor of a law allowing for the early release of some ETA prisoners. This legislative initiative is set to be ratified on Monday despite the PP’s opposition. Amidst the political turmoil, new information about the Koldo case that implicates Ábalos began to emerge, leading to the likely indictment of the former minister for his role in the alleged corruption network. This has caused concern within the PSOE and prompted strong statements from Sánchez regarding accountability and justice.
As Feijóo addressed migration issues in Congress on Wednesday, the news regarding the Koldo case intensified, overshadowing the ongoing political debate. Meanwhile, Sánchez, who was in Rome at the time, acknowledged being informed about the controversial visit of the Venezuelan vice president to Spain in 2020, which Ábalos had reportedly alerted him about via WhatsApp. Feijóo, who was in Poland meeting with Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Friday, continued to criticize Sánchez’s handling of the situation in a statement to the press. The PP leader emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in light of the unfolding events.
Feijóo has maintained his focus on the Koldo case and related issues, even as he attended the National Day celebrations on Saturday. He reiterated his criticisms of Sánchez and called for greater accountability and transparency from the government. The PP, in a blunt and ironic statement released shortly after, announced the urgent convening of the executive committee to address the unfolding situation. While the party had initially planned to focus on social issues like housing and work-life balance, recent events such as the ETA prisoner law and the Koldo case have led to a shift in priorities. The meeting will take place just before the Senate vote on the European law transposition bill, with the PP also expanding the scope of an investigation into pandemic-related procurement activities to include the UCO report findings.
Overall, the unfolding events surrounding the Koldo case have put significant pressure on the PP and the government, leading to heightened tensions and calls for accountability. As both parties grapple with the fallout from recent revelations, the political landscape in Spain remains uncertain, with implications for both the current administration and the opposition moving forward. It remains to be seen how these developments will impact the political dynamics and public perception in the days and weeks to come.
