Spanish government crisis over purchase of bullets from an Israeli company

MadridSerious crisis in the Spanish government between the coalition partners, PSOE and Sumar. In the disagreements with the security and defense investment plan Announced this Tuesday by Pedro Sánchez, the purchase of 15 million bullets for the Civil Guard from an Israeli company is added. An award that a few months ago the Ministry of the Interior had committed to reversing. The second vice president and leader of Sumar, Yolanda Díaz, has demanded the appearance of Fernando Grande-Marlaska to report all the details of this setback, but other sectors of the space go further and do not rule out the breakup of the coalition. The spokesperson for United Left in Congress, Enrique Santiago, has requested a meeting of the parties that make up Sumar to analyze relations with the PSOE. "All scenarios are open. Unilateral decisions taken by others are those that cause serious consequences," he stated in a press conference in the lower house.

As has been advanced by the Cadena SER, the Ministry of the Interior has formalized the purchase of 15 million bullets for the Civil Guard from an Israeli company, despite the Spanish government's commitment to suspend all commercial relations with companies from that country. Following Israel's offensive on Gaza, the Spanish government announced that, as of October 7, 2023, no new exports to Israel would be agreed upon. However, purchases continued: on February 23, 2024, the bidding process for these 9x19 mm caliber bullets for the Spanish armed institute began. On October 21, 2024, the company Guardian Defense & Homeland Security SA was awarded the contract, and the SER (Spanish National Security Service) reported on this controversial process a few days later. The Ministry of the Interior responded by announcing that it was initiating the procedure to terminate the contract and pledged not to buy or sell weapons to Israel. However, the department led by Fernando Grande-Marlaska ended up fulfilling a contract worth €6.6 million, following the recommendations of the State Attorney's Office, which had warned that breaking the contract would have meant paying the money but not receiving the ammunition.

Thus, the Ministry of the Interior considered maintaining its commitment not to trade with Israel less important than losing €6.6 million, a paltry amount compared to the €10.471 billion agreed upon in the defense plan approved this Tuesday. From Barcelona, ​​Díaz denounced this as a "flagrant violation of the agreements" adopted not to trade with Israel and demanded an "immediate rectification." The Minister of Children and Youth, Sira Rego, a member of the United Left, went further and called for a full audit of trade relations with Israel since the Gaza offensive. This is not the only operation that contradicts the Spanish government's promise. In fact, Guardian Defense & Homeland Security SA is a regular customer, and on January 13, the Civil Guard awarded it the contract to supply spare parts for pistols and rifles.Ramónworth 15,000 euros.

United Left puts pressure

Sumar, through the Minister of Social Rights, Pablo Bustinduy, has already expressed its concerns about the security and defense plan, which includes an investment of 1.963 billion euros in strictly military equipment. Furthermore, they criticize the fact that it did not go through the meeting of secretaries of state last Thursday, but was instead taken directly to the Council of Ministers. Within the coalition, there are voices that are more uncomfortable with the PSOE's alignment with European rearmament, especially the United Left, and are already putting momentous decisions on the table. Enrique Santiago believes that Marlaska and the Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, should step aside if they do not reverse the contract with the Israeli company. But, internally, the United Left also wants to open a reflection on its role in the coalition. "The PSOE has opened the biggest crisis since the government was established in 2023," stated the party's general coordinator, Antonio Maíllo. Sources from Sumar attribute the United Left's position to sending a message to its members and completely rule out leaving the government.

Meanwhile, sources from the Commons party state that it is necessary to legally implement an arms embargo on Israel. The Moncloa party interprets the complaints from the group led by Díaz as a reaction to strong pressure from Podemos, which, from outside the Spanish government, is raising its voice against military spending. Also from Barcelona, ​​​​MEP Irene Montero once again spoke of a "government of war." "We ask people to take to the streets again, as they did 25 years ago, to say 'No to war' and 'We are people of peace' until we change the militaristic course of this government to one of peace and rights," stated the leader of the purple party. Beyond generic calls to mobilize, Podemos is not promoting any demonstrations.