Montero denies corruption in her ministry amid renewed attacks from the PP

The day after crashing into the wall of the PP over the financing reform and while José Manuel Albares He was talking about Venezuela in CongressMaría Jesús Montero has had to appear in the Senate – forced by the absolute majority of the Popular Party – to give explanations about the SEPI caseAn investigation by the National Court into the awarding of public contracts. The First Vice President of the Spanish government defended "the honor, responsibility, and prestige" of SEPI, a state-owned company attached to the Ministry of Finance that acts as the State investment armMontero defended the procedures as "correct." Constantly invoking the secrecy of the investigation, she emphasized that, "for now," it cannot be stated that "any irregularities have been committed" or that "any file has been discovered that was processed in a manner different from the law," and she emphatically endorsed SEPI's actions: "There's no bad apple." The PP wanted to start the year by targeting the alleged corruption cases surrounding—and implicating—the Spanish government, but—less than two kilometers away—Moncloa Palace opted to focus on Pedro Sánchez's international policy with the Foreign Minister's appearance before the lower house. The one in the eye of the storm is Vicente Fernández Guerrero, who was president of SEPI during Pedro Sánchez's first year in Moncloa and was arrested a month ago, along with Leire Díez—known as plumber of the PSOE—and Antxon Alonso—owner of Servinabar, under investigation in the Cerdán case. María Jesús Montero stated that the Civil Guard is investigating the period between 2021 and 2023, two years before Vicente Fernández presided over SEPI: he resigned after being summoned as a suspect in the Aznalcóllar mine case, from which he was ultimately acquitted. "It was not during this period that these individuals held political responsibilities in any of the institutions of this government," she emphasized. She defended herself by posing two questions: "Can you tell me what kind of responsibility I could possibly have in this matter? What is the point of holding a hearing on a subject about which we have no information?" "It disgusts us that there are people who might use politics to enrich themselves financially, but we must be able to clearly define who should answer to the justice system and not tarnish the institutions," the Minister of Finance also requested. Having said that, María Jesús Montero demanded that the PP stop "throwing insidious lies" about the "commendable work" done by SEPI employees. Next, it was the turn of the Minister for Ecological Transition, Sara Aagesen, who distanced herself from any "shadow of suspicion" and assured that "never" has "been" benefited "any company or individual" and that she has always acted with "maximum transparency." Her department is linked to the hydrocarbons case being investigated by the National Court. In fact, the former chief of staff of her predecessor, Teresa Ribera, will have to testify as a witness in two weeks. "Either a participant, an accomplice, or negligent"

The PP has taken the opportunity to attack María Jesús Montero and to make a totum revolutumIn her remarks, she included references to Plus Ultra, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, and Paco Salazar. "Pedro Sánchez surrounded himself with people useful for committing crimes and looting, a government prepared to steal," declared the leader of the People's Party in the Senate, Alicia García. She dubbed Montero the "vice president of bribes" and the "minister of the SEPI black hole," reproaching her for presenting herself as a "mere spectator" of what was happening at SEPI: "She is either a participant, an accomplice, or negligent. Or all three." "Spain cannot afford a state captured by its corruption," she concluded.

In her rebuttal, Montero attacked the People's Party for resorting to "dehumanization" out of "simple electoral fear," given that she is a candidate in this year's elections in Andalusia: "They have gone after me above all because I am the PSOE candidate," she proclaimed. Since the explanations have not satisfied the Popular Party, the PP has taken legal action by creating a commission of inquiry into SEPI regarding the "deficiencies and alleged irregularities" in its management. They have also announced that they will summon María Jesús Montero, warning her that "sooner or later" she will have to answer to the courts.

On behalf of ERC, Sara Bailac lamented that the PP "remains silent, minimizes, or protects" corruption within its ranks and asked María Jesús Montero to "understand the moment" and "rise to the occasion" to "act decisively," with "maximum transparency." From Junts, Teresa Pallarès lamented that the cases of alleged corruption represent an "enormous loss of credibility" for the Spanish government and "the entire political class." These are "absolutely deplorable and very disappointing" cases that "illustrate the problems of centralism in the management of resources."