The opposition also attacks Isla over the Cerdán case: "Did he participate in the purchase of masks?"

BarcelonaThe Cerdán case entered Parliament this Wednesday with Salvador Illa in the spotlight. Most parliamentary groups have demanded explanations and proof that he has nothing to do with the alleged commission-taking scheme. The PP and Vox have been the most intent on cornering the leader of the Catalan Socialists. Initially, because as soon as the plenary session began, they requested a change to the agenda so that Isla could appear before the chamber to explain the case. The other groups opposed it so as not to "play into the hands" of the right and the far right, but Junts has announced that it will request his appearance at a later date.

The PP's offensive continued during the control session, when the PP leader, Alejandro Fernández, asked Salvador Illa to explain why his name appears in the UCO report. "I will not accuse him of anything; I will ask questions with rigor and institutional respect. He is the president of the Generalitat, but not a sacred totem," he began. Fernández asked him who "Chili" was, who appears in the report and who, according to a conversation reproduced by the Civil Guard, Isla talks "a lot" on the messaging app Signal. Isla asserted that he had "no fucking idea" who "Chili" was. Fernández also asked him if he knew if anyone was investigating him. "If they've investigated me, I don't know, I deduce that they have. I have no problem with them investigating me; I don't have to hide from anything," Illa replied.

The Popular Party leader also wanted to clarify whether Isla was involved in the alleged commissions for the purchase of masks, which would implicate José Luis Ábalos and Koldo García. "Did Koldo García or Santos Cerdán participate or act as an intermediary in the purchase of masks from the Ministry of Health while you were leading it?" Fernández asked. "Nothing about masks," Illa replied. And he followed up with an attack on the Popular Party (PP): "There have been people in your house who have received commissions, and whoever reported it to your party was kicked out," he stated, referring to former PP leader Pablo Casado and the war he had with Isabel Díaz Ayuso over the Community of Madrid contracts awarded to his party.

Vox has gone even further and accused the Socialists of being a "criminal organization." "Be careful with what you say, otherwise we'll see each other somewhere else," threatened Illa. "Of course we'll see each other somewhere else, because we'll be in charge of putting them in the dock," replied the leader of the far right in Parliament, Ignacio Garriga.

Criticism from Junts and ERC

Junts and ERC did not use the heightened tone of the PP and Vox, but they also demanded explanations from Isla. In fact, Junts' leader in the Parliament, Albert Batet, has attributed "alleged irregular financing" to the Socialists. Isla refuted this accusation: "There is no irregular financing. Be careful what you say and who says it." The president of the Generalitat (Catalan government) has limited the Cerdán case to "unworthy" and "repugnant" behavior on the part of the former PSOE organizational secretary. "I am completely calm, clean, and ready to face the public when asked to do so," he added.

The PSC leader, in this regard, defended the PSOE's "forcefulness" in its action. ERC, for its part, has also asked Isla to contribute to putting an end to "systemic corruption" in Spain. The leader of the Republicans in the chamber, Josep Maria Jové, has focused on the continuity of the legislature, which he warned can only move forward if it is "cleaned up," and on compliance with the investiture agreements. "Sánchez's presidency has been positive for Spain and Catalonia. A serious case should not erase it," the president responded. Comuns spokesperson David Cid also called for "transparency and decisiveness" from the Socialists, but warned that they will not facilitate a PP-Vox government.