A new political dispute is brewing in the Spanish Senate as representatives of the Partido Popular (PP) have called for several Socialist Party members to appear for hearings. The move follows newly uncovered data from a review of financial transactions linked to former transport minister José Luis Ábalos.
The agenda includes questioning two PSOE administrators and two secretaries who, according to the opposition, may have been involved in handing over cash. These individuals drew attention after a report from the Central Operational Unit of the Civil Guard highlighted significant expenses not supported by bank documents. The total amount under scrutiny exceeds 95,000 euros. Investigators believe these funds were spent between 2017 and 2021, when Ábalos served as minister.
Despite calls for clarification, Partido Popular is in no rush to officially summon Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to a hearing, even though they hold the Senate majority and could do so. At the same time, party representatives stress that the prime minister’s silence only heightens suspicions surrounding the PSOE leadership.
Within the Socialist party, it is claimed that all payments to Ábalos and his adviser Koldo García were made in accordance with internal regulations, and that some expenses were indeed covered in cash. However, the details of these funds’ origins and their subsequent movement remain unclear. Documents submitted to the Supreme Court cite amounts of nearly 20,000 euros for Ábalos and over 12,000 for his adviser.
Meanwhile, the Partido Popular is preparing to file a motion in the Madrid court, accusing Sánchez of a conflict of interest in decisions regarding support for companies linked to his wife. Although a previous court had already dismissed similar claims, the opposition does not intend to back down.
In the coming months, the Senate will continue its investigation, with the former minister and his adviser once again at the center of the inquiry. Questions about the transparency of financial flows within PSOE and the possible involvement of top officials in unauthorized transactions remain unresolved. For now, neither side is willing to compromise, while the public follows developments with keen interest.
