The PP attacks Sánchez over the Cerdán case: "They are the government of the 2%"

MadridSantos Cerdán was the main focus of the day in Congress. This occurred before the news had even broken. the decision by the judge investigating the former number three of the PSOE to release himThe report by the Central Operational Unit (UCO) of the Civil Guard, made public yesterday, is what has been the focus of the PP's attacks on the Spanish government during the question period. "The spindle is Ferraz (the PSOE headquarters) and you've taken it to Moncloa Palace," Alberto Núñez Feijóo reproached Pedro Sánchez. The PP questions whether the Spanish Prime Minister knew nothing about the alleged irregularities committed by those who, until less than six months ago, were his right-hand men, and they have made the percentage that, according to investigators, the company Servinabar, supposedly linked to Cerdán, received from public works contracts awarded to Acciona, into a category they are expanding. "They are the 2% government," the PP's Secretary General, Miguel Tellado, also declared. At Moncloa Palace, they do not deny the "seriousness" of the events that the UCO attributes to Cerdán, but they insist on portraying the alleged scheme as an isolated case that they disassociate from both the PSOE and the Spanish government. "Zero tolerance for corruption," Sánchez responded to the leader of the opposition, echoing his remarks from Tuesday during the joint appearance with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Sánchez, like other Socialist voices in the halls of the lower house on Wednesday, argued that the party acted "decisively" from the "very beginning." In fact, although the Popular Party has attacked the Socialist leader, the new evidence against Cerdán does not currently threaten the legislature. The spokesperson for ERC, Gabriel Rufián, reiterated that the Spanish government "must not fall" if the Cerdán case remains "three men sharing money through corrupt practices," but warned again that if it "escalates" and illegal financing of the PSOE is proven, the Republicans will ask Sánchez to call elections. The Basque Nationalist Party (PNV), another ally of the plurinational majority, has expressed a similar view. The Basque nationalists have been targeted by the PP (People's Party) because Feijóo's party has extended its accusations to the party led by Aitor Esteban. According to the UCO (Central Operative Unit of the Civil Guard) report, the PNV (Basque Nationalist Party) allegedly asked Cerdán to make several appointments after the 2018 vote of no confidence that ousted Mariano Rajoy. Esteban has denied this "categorically." "They're trying to stir things up by making accusations that make no sense. The PP isn't moving forward. It's stuck on the vote of no confidence and is setting a very bad example of what it means to conduct dignified politics," complained the PNV spokesperson in Congress, Maribel Vaquero, in statements to the corridors. For Feijóo, however, it has been proven that Sánchez's 2018 vote of no confidence "wasn't against corruption, but rather for the corruption of his cronies."

Mazón and the PP case in Almería

The Socialists have defended themselves against the Popular Party's offensive by denouncing a double standard within the PP. Sánchez reproached Feijóo, saying, "He's been applauding [Carlos] Mazón for a year now." "Look in the mirror before giving lessons," retorted the Spanish Prime Minister, who also argued that "privatizing public services to the detriment of the middle and working classes" is corruption, referring to the Popular Party's management of the autonomous communities. Yesterday's arrest of three PP officials from Almería, including the president of the Provincial Council and provincial party president, Javier Aureliano García, has given ammunition to the PSOE. "Look at Almería," said Sánchez. The junior partner in the governing coalition, however, warned the Socialist leader that the "whataboutism" argument is no longer effective. "Corruption is a very serious problem in our country and erodes democracy. It must be eliminated wherever it comes from, whether from the Ministry of Transport or the Almería Provincial Council, regardless of the political party involved," stressed Yolanda Díaz, Second Vice President of the Spanish Government and leading figure of the Sumar coalition.