A major political crisis has erupted in Almería after the arrest of former provincial administration leaders. An emergency session of the Diputación de Almería addressed the fallout from the detention of the ex-president and his deputy, both accused of manipulating state contracts. Authorities have decided to grant deputies full access to all contract documents and to create a special commission to investigate the matter, aiming to demonstrate maximum transparency.
Investigation and resignations: new details emerge
The scandal broke out after former officials linked to Partido Popular were detained on suspicion of corruption, bribery, and money laundering. Investigators believe violations could have occurred since 2016 and are connected to the procurement of medical supplies during the pandemic. After being formally charged, both figures were released on bail with travel restrictions and immediately resigned from their positions.
Acting head of the Diputación Ángel Escobar proposed providing access to every contract signed by the administration in recent years. He also announced the creation of a commission to review all suspicious deals. According to him, this should eliminate any doubts about the institution’s integrity.
Political battles and mutual accusations
The meeting quickly escalated into a heated debate between representatives of the leading parties. The Socialists (PSOE) insisted that possible violations had long been known and accused the People’s Party of delaying the investigation. They reminded everyone that back in 2021, other officials had been detained on similar charges, yet no political responsibility had been taken.
In response, representatives of the People’s Party recalled corruption cases involving the Socialists and emphasized that none of the current defendants had been convicted. They also accused their opponents of trying to exploit the situation for political gain. The debate was joined by representatives of Vox, who stated that both major parties were responsible for the existing system of contract allocation.
Impact of the scandal on the region’s political landscape
The resignation of the former leaders of the Diputación was the first step towards renewing the leadership. Now, a new president must be appointed within ten days. Within the People’s Party, there is an active search for a candidate unconnected to previous scandals, with the aim of restoring voter trust and strengthening the party’s position in the region.
At the same time, investigations continue into other officials, including the mayor of Tíjola, who is also suspected of contract fraud and violations in the construction of sports facilities. This adds further tension to Almería’s political climate, where competition for influence between parties is escalating.
Outlook and next steps
That evening, the leadership of the Partido Popular held a meeting in Roquetas de Mar to discuss next steps and a strategy for overcoming the crisis. The issue of appointing a new head of the Diputación remains unresolved, as the party aims to avoid further scandals and strengthen its position ahead of possible elections.
The scandal over contracts and corruption schemes in Almería has become a major test for the local authorities. Granting access to documents and forming an investigative committee are attempts to restore public trust and signal a willingness for change. However, political strife and mutual accusations continue to fuel tensions, and final conclusions in the case remain ahead.
