Parties veto Juan Carlos commission

“The PSOE trembles when it comes to advancing democratic quality.” This was how the MP and IU leader, Alberto Garzón, defined Pedro Sánchez’ party forming an alliance with the PP and Cs to prevent the Congress from opening a commission on the finances of the former king of Spain. Several groups in the chamber had called for a commission to investigate the credibility of Corinna Sayn-Wittgenstein’s confessions to ex-commissioner José Manuel Villarejo, which were published in various media. In the recordings of conversations between Villarejo and the German aristocrat, the former friend of Joan Carles I claimed that the ex-monarch had committed tax fraud and used her to protect his interests in some real estate deals. The parties called for the investigation on the basis of these claims, but yesterday the petition came up against the veto of the Congress committee. Even though the PP and Cs have a majority on the committee, the PSOE also voted against the motion, the two Podem members being the only ones to endorse it.

Corinna had alleged that Juan Carlos had ommitted a series of crimes, alluding to the existence of accounts in Switzerland hidden from the Spanish Treasury and the receipt of illegal commissions in the tender for the high speed train to Mecca. From the first instant, however, Sánchez’ government has defended the institution of the monarchy, insisting on the need to shield the current head of state from the revelations that affect his predecessor.

The parties Podem and IU criticised the attitude adopted by the PSOE, expressing their disbelief that the socialists had joined the “law of silence” so often imposed when the previous monarch has been linked with possible corruption.