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Thursday, Jan 16, 2025

Political Drama in Spain: Investigation Deepens with Key Senate Inquiry

Political Drama in Spain: Investigation Deepens with Key Senate Inquiry

The Partido Popular aims scrutiny at former minister José Luis Ábalos and a wider network as part of a controversial Senate investigation.
In a significant political development in Spain, the Partido Popular (PP) continues its rigorous inquiries into allegations of corruption within the government, leveraging its majority in the Senate.

At the center of proceedings is the so-called 'Caso Koldo'—also known as 'Caso Sánchez' or 'Caso PSOE'—which scrutinizes the potential wrongdoings during the tenures of key government officials.

One of the focal points is former Minister of Transport, José Luis Ábalos, whose personal and professional conduct is under sharp examination.

With three Senate investigations operational, the most advanced is that concerning Ábalos, entwined with alleged corrupt practices linked to the purported activities of a network led by commission agent Víctor de Aldama.

In a noteworthy move, the PP has summoned Ábalos' former partner, Jéssica Rodríguez G., and current partner, Andrea de la Torre, to provide testimonies.

This comes after Anticorruption investigations revealed that a Madrid apartment was provided to Ábalos via the alleged network for Rodriguez's use.

In a parallel legal track, Supreme Court Judge Leopoldo Puente, presiding over potential irregularities at the Ministry of Transport during Ábalos' term, has motioned for the suspension of Ábalos' parliamentary immunity—an essential prerequisite for deeper judicial proceedings.

The charges being contemplated include involvement in a criminal organization, influence peddling, bribery, and embezzlement.

The Lower House will now deliberate on this motion, which is a necessary procedural step before any investigation by the Supreme Court proceeds.

In response to these unfolding events, the Senate's investigative commissions have lined up more key figures to testify.

These include Iván Redondo, former Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and several former ministers, including Ángel Víctor Torres, Arancha González Laya, and Reyes Maroto.

Curiously absent from the list is Prime Minister Sánchez himself, though the PP has reiterated its intention to call him at a strategic moment in the investigations.

In another unfolding narrative, the PP is also steering an investigation into the impact and governmental response to the catastrophic 'dana'—a torrential storm that caused significant damage on October 29th.

With hearings scheduled before the end of January, ex-minister of Ecological Transition Teresa Ribera is expected to be called due to her oversight of pertinent agencies.

Meanwhile, the PP has yet to decide whether to summon Carlos Mazón, President of the Valencian Community, as parliamentary sources indicate the PP's inquiry is aimed at uncovering the full extent of the damage and preventing future disasters.

A third active investigation is being conducted concerning the workings of the Center for Sociological Research, directed by Félix Tezanos, slated for further examination on the 29th.

Each of these initiatives underlines the PP's tactical deployment of its Senate majority to spotlight alleged government malfeasance.

These proceedings are not only poised to scrutinize past actions but could potentially reshape Spain's political landscape as the investigations unfold.
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