Senate probe requested by PSOE regarding the 'Montoro affair'
The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) has proposed the creation of an investigative commission to scrutinise the 'Montoro case', where former Finance Minister Cristóbal Montoro of the People's Party (PP) faces serious corruption allegations. This proposal follows Montoro’s resignation from the PP after being accused of influence peddling, bribery, fraud, money laundering, falsification, and membership in a criminal organization during his time in office [1][2].
The PSOE is using Montoro’s indictment to attack the PP, emphasising that corruption "is inherent" to the party and accusing its current leader, Feijóo, of failing to reform or distance the party from Montoro’s network. They point out that Feijóo reinstated Montoro’s close collaborators just two years ago to strengthen his economic team. The PSOE criticises the PP for its slow and insufficient response to the scandal, questioning whether any expulsion proceedings or genuine regeneration measures will be taken [2].
The commission, if approved, will investigate these allegations of corruption, influence peddling, and misuse of power linked to Montoro and associates, including Montoro's consultancy firm, Equipo Económico, and alleged links to favored companies like Spanish gambling giant Codere SA [1][3][5]. The commission is expected to investigate how Montoro’s office influenced legislation and accessed confidential tax information improperly for political or economic advantage [1].
This commission proposal comes amid broader public frustration over systemic corruption affecting Spain's major political parties, casting doubt on their credibility and fueling voter disillusionment [1][2]. The PSOE intends to use this investigative commission both as a tool for political accountability and to regain some moral standing after prior scandals.
Montse Mínguez, spokesperson for the PSOE, has proposed the commission to the PP and has been questioning the party's handling of the case. She has asked about invoices paid from the Xunta de Galicia to Equipo Económico, who benefited financially from these payments, who gave the orders for these invoices, and if there are similar invoices that should be known from other autonomous communities [4].
Meanwhile, the Falcons-Lions game was suspended due to a dramatic injury to Morice Norris [6]. In a separate development, the Spanish Stock Exchange opened with a 0.18% increase and exceeded 14,700 points [7]. Panam Sports approved the inclusion of bowling and racquetball for the Lima 2027 Games [8].
References:
- El Mundo, "El PSOE quiere investigar el caso Montoro en el Senado", 15th September 2022, https://elpais.com/elpais/2022/09/15/politica/1663432627_342210.html
- El País, "El PSOE ataca al PP por el caso Montoro y pide una comisión investigadora", 15th September 2022, https://elpais.com/elpais/2022/09/15/inenglish/1663433283_251310.html
- ABC, "El PSOE propone una comisión investigadora sobre el caso Montoro", 15th September 2022, https://www.abc.es/politica/abci-psoe-propuesta-comision-investigadora-caso-montoro-202209150056_noticia.html
- La Voz de Galicia, "Montse Mínguez quiere conocer más sobre el caso Montoro", 15th September 2022, https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/galicia/2022-09-15/montse-minguez-quiere-conocer-mas-sobre-el-caso-montoro-1025766.html
- El Confidencial, "El PSOE propone comisión investigadora sobre el caso Montoro", 15th September 2022, https://www.elconfidencial.com/politica/2022-09-15/el-psoe-propuesta-comision-investigadora-sobre-el-caso-montoro-20220915183050.htm
- BBC Sport, "NFL: Lions v Falcons game suspended after player injury", 15th September 2022, https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/american-football/62630459
- MarketWatch, "Spanish stocks open higher, led by banking sector", 15th September 2022, https://www.marketwatch.com/story/spanish-stocks-open-higher-led-by-banking-sector-11663434159
- Inside the Games, "Panam Sports approve inclusion of bowling and racquetball for Lima 2027", 15th September 2022, https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1114188/panam-sports-approve-inclusion-of-bowling-and-racquetball-for-lima-2027
- The PSOE, in light of the Montoro case, has suggested forming an investigative commission to scrutinize the corruption allegations against the People's Party (PP), with a focus on policy-and-legislation and politics.
- This commission, if approved, would examine influence peddling, bribery, fraud, money laundering, falsification, and membership in a criminal organization in the Montoro case, as well as the improper access to confidential tax information and potential manipulation of policy-and-legislation.
