The former Minister of Transport and socialist deputy José Luis Ábalos has ruled out resigning and leaving his seat in Congress, although he has admitted that if the 'Koldo case' involving his former advisor had broken out when he was a member of the Government, he would have made.
"I am a deputy now, I am not a minister. If this had occurred as a minister, it is evident that I would have had to resign. And at the time," Ábalos explained in an interview in La Sexta, in which he stressed that however He is now not a member of the Executive and that within the scope of his duties as a deputy he has "no responsibility."
Ábalos recalled that he is not "accused of anything" and that he is not involved in any corruption plot, and that in any case he can be criticized for his "political ability to select personnel" and for having trusted people who disappointed him. "If that disqualifies me politically, in fact, it possibly disqualifies me for life from everything (...) it seems tremendous to me," he continued.
However, he has reiterated that he is willing to leave the seat if the party asks him to do so, since he has "no attachment" to public representation. Although, if we did so, it would be to "exemplify public life" and not to "pay tribute to the strategy of the right."
In his opinion, the response given to corruption "cannot remain in the mere personal sphere", but in the "commitment to society, commitment to the rule of law." For this reason, he sees it as hypocritical that it is "an isolated, testimonial element" to "get rid of someone" and without involving "any action on the part of others."
The former Secretary of Organization of the PSOE has also reaffirmed that he is "very clear" about his commitment and his convictions, and that for this reason he is not going to resign in this way. "I am not going to make a withdrawal as if it were a questioning of dignity," he added, indicating that he will reflect on it but that he will also think about his children, who are "part of his life", and will make a decision "with loyalty to this project".
Ábalos has also referred to the message that the President of the Government and Secretary General of the PSOE, Pedro Sánchez, has verbalized this Saturday against corruption in his party, ensuring that they will be relentless "no matter where it comes from and whoever falls," in reference evening for the former Minister of Transport.
"What the president has said has been a maxim of the PSOE for a long time. But in the fight against corruption, which is where we have to be committed, it not only demands forcefulness, it also demands equanimity, it demands objectivity, it demands proportionality," he said. declared, adding that "the law punishes, but also protects."
The socialist deputy has criticized that there is a "segmented ethic", where there are people who tell "others what they have to do, but they do not apply it to themselves", since that is "voluntary testimonialism".
After confirming that Sánchez has not called him since the alleged collection of illegal commissions by his former advisor in the purchase of masks during the pandemic came to light, Ábalos has reiterated that he is a deputy and in the exercise of his current functions "he does not nothing has occurred that can be reproached", so calling for his resignation he is asked to "abandon political life and practically also personal life".
Ábalos has assured that he is experiencing "the worst moment" in his life and that in politics "this is the worst thing" he has had to face, despite the fact that he believes he has had no responsibility and is accustomed to crises.
"I have not had a worse time in my life than what I am going through now. And even on a personal level, apart from the problem I had with my son when he was born, I have not had any other bad times. This is the worst. And I don't think I have responsibility. I don't think I'm to blame for this," he explained.
Asked if he has missed a call from a member of his party, the former minister stated that he already has "a long experience in these things" and that "I never expect anything" and "I celebrate what has come."
"I have many calls from militants, from friends, from deputies, encouraging me, telling me to please not give up, they tell me, they demand it from me, and I appreciate it. In the end I will do what I have to do, but I appreciate it. And he who doesn't do it, doesn't do it," he added, expressing that he is "zero" worried because the complaint has been filed, the accused have already been narrowed down and he doesn't appear "at all."
