The Koldo case, and therefore the alleged corruption over the purchase of masks that implicates the former advisor of former minister José Luis Ábalos, will be analyzed in two different investigative commissions that will be formed in Congress and the Senate. This double scenario in the two chambers of the Cortes responds to the interest in control of its development, content and appearances by the PSOE – which on paper can form majorities with its partners – and the PP, with an absolute majority in the Senate.
Yesterday the Socialist group registered an investigative commission that attempts to broaden the focus beyond the specific case of Koldo García, former advisor to Ábalos. According to the document, the objective is to “establish the facts, responsibilities and teachings about the conditions under which the contracting processes were carried out by the entire General Administration of the State and other organizations. The actions of other public administrations will also be investigated.” The socialists want a broad review of pandemic hiring that also covers the administrations at that time governed by the PP or other parties. The socialist spokesperson, Patxi López, stressed that he wants to “clarify everything that surrounds purchases.”
The commission requested by the socialists proposes a four-month investigation and recalls that at the time of the pandemic, health resources to deal with it were scarce. In this sense, he explains that “exceptional” hiring mechanisms were put in place. And he indicates that in “those dramatic months” “opportunists, profiteers and criminals” also appeared, although he does not mention names. Likewise, they want to study the existing contracting mechanisms and evaluate possible legal modifications. It remains to be seen the role in the commission of the formations usually associated with the Government that during the pandemic had responsibilities in the regional executives.
Based on what was expressed yesterday, the PP is not going to support this investigative commission, understanding that what it seeks is to “spread doubts and blame” on the regional administrations. The parliamentary spokesperson, Miguel Tellado, considered that it is a “smokescreen” to cover the involvement of the inner circle of Ábalos and President Pedro Sánchez. Likewise, he pointed out that this chamber is not in a position to investigate since President Francina Armengol “may be involved” in the case. And he demanded that he abstain from the votes that are carried out linked to the Koldo case.
The PP takes its strategy to the Senate and on March 5 the Board will address the request to create an investigative commission. The popular group pointed out that they plan to request the appearances in the chamber of President Pedro Sánchez, of Armengol, former Minister Salvador Illa, and former Canarian President Ángel Victor Torres, currently Minister of Territorial Policy, among other positions.
The Popular Party wants the case not to be limited to the political responsibility of former Minister Ábalos, where the PSOE is now aiming, but rather what they seek is to point to a choral performance by the Government of Pedro Sánchez. And they play the card of the absolute majority in the Senate to give the form that suits them to the investigation commission. As established in the Senate regulations, the chamber may require, through the Presidency, the presence of any person residing in Spain to be heard in the commission with the obligation to attend. In the Upper House there is no time limit for the development of the aforementioned commission.
Although politically unfeasible, the regulations would allow the creation of a mixed Congress-Senate commission.
