The Popular Party has filed a lawsuit against the PSOE for illegal financing, influence peddling, and bribery. They are basing this on information from a businessman who claims to have delivered money in cash to the PSOE headquarters in exchange for political favors. The PP believes that this alleged irregular financing needs to be investigated by the justice system, as it could further erode the government’s credibility. They are pushing for a separate judicial case to be opened that does not overlap with the ongoing investigations related to the Koldo case and the hydrocarbon fraud scandal.
The PP’s lawsuit is based on a report from The Objective that featured an anonymous businessman claiming to have delivered €90,000 in cash to the PSOE headquarters. Although this information is not included in any official police or judicial reports, the PP is giving credibility to investigative journalism. They are considering expanding the lawsuit to include President Pedro Sánchez but are currently focusing on the PSOE as a political party. The PP is using the judicial system as their main avenue to address their accusations against the government.
While the PP is pursuing legal action, they are also trying to sow discord among the PSOE’s parliamentary allies to weaken the government’s position. They are requesting a special session focused on corruption in parliament and hoping for support from other political parties. Despite acknowledging that a motion of no confidence would be justified, the PP admits they do not have enough support to make it successful at this time. They are keeping their options open for the future.
Podemos, a former coalition partner of the PSOE, has also called for accountability at the highest levels if the allegations in the Koldo case are proven true. They have demanded explanations from President Sánchez and find it hard to believe that no one in the PSOE knew about the alleged irregularities involving former minister José Luis Ábalos. Podemos has questioned the credibility of the PSOE’s attempts to distance themselves from Ábalos’s actions and believes that if his involvement is proven, accountability should be widespread.
Podemos has criticized the PP’s lawsuit against the PSOE, mocking their sudden interest in fighting corruption. They point out the irony of the PP taking a stand against corruption when they have faced numerous corruption scandals themselves. Podemos sees the Koldo case as a symptom of the systemic corruption within Spain’s two-party system. They are calling for transparency and accountability from all political parties, including the PSOE and the PP, to address the deep-rooted issues of corruption in Spanish politics.
