The wife of the Spanish Prime Minister is once again in the spotlight. Recent investigative reports have shed light on her advisor from Moncloa, Cristina Álvarez, and her discussions with representatives from eleven different companies. While it was previously claimed that her involvement was limited to occasional assignments, new findings indicate a systematic effort.
Investigators have obtained dozens of emails sent from April 2021 to June 2024. These show that Álvarez not only coordinated meetings and handled logistics, but also actively sought funding for the university department headed by the Prime Minister’s wife. The correspondence involves major organizations such as Reale, Google, Indra, KPMG, La Caixa, as well as several foundations and institutes.
Particular attention is being paid to her communications with business representatives regarding sponsorship and additional agreements. Álvarez did not limit herself to email—some negotiations were carried out by phone, as confirmed by the email content. In one instance, she discussed partnership terms with Mindway, seeking favorable conditions for the department, and in another, she coordinated the signing of documents with Indra and other organizations.
In July 2022, the advisor directly proposed a collaboration between the university and Google, and then facilitated contact between the company and the institution. Other emails discussed the details of agreements with foundations and banks, as well as issues related to revenue distribution and the use of department materials. In one instance, the prime minister’s spouse personally sent Alvarez’s contact information to arrange a video call with the research center.
Investigators note that the advisor’s role went beyond simply coordinating schedules. Her activities covered a wide range of tasks related to attracting partners and managing projects. As a result, the court will have to assess whether these actions were in line with her stated duties and if they exceeded the permissible limits.
