Junts per Catalunya has reactivated its internal investigation into Toni Comín after a four-month pause. The case concerns alleged harassment of a parliamentary aide. The disciplinary process resumes as legal uncertainties persist.
Junts per Catalunya has restarted its internal disciplinary investigation into former health minister Toni Comín, following a four-month suspension. The party's Commission of Guarantees had paused the process to await developments in Comín's legal status and the potential impact of the amnesty law, but with no changes in his situation, the probe is now back on track. The case centers on allegations of sexual harassment made by a former aide who worked with Comín in the European Parliament.
The disciplinary proceedings were initially launched in January 2025 after Junts learned of a complaint filed by the ex-assistant with the European Parliament's Advisory Committee. The allegations include unwanted physical contact, suggestive remarks, intrusive questions about the aide's personal life, and proposals for sexual encounters involving a third party. Comín has consistently denied all accusations and maintains his willingness to defend himself before any competent authority.
The investigation was put on hold to see if the amnesty law would allow Comín to reclaim his seat as an MEP, a scenario that has not materialized. He remains subject to a national arrest warrant issued by Spain's Supreme Court, stemming from his decision to leave for Belgium in 2017 following the Catalan independence referendum. This legal situation prevented him from taking up his mandate after the 2024 European elections, as he could not return to Spain to complete the necessary formalities.
Sources close to the internal process confirm that Junts is simply following the previously agreed timeline, with no new evidence or developments in the case. The party had made clear in March that the suspension was temporary, pending the outcome of judicial and political proceedings. The European Parliament's Advisory Committee, which handles harassment cases involving MEPs, had also paused its own inquiry at a very early stage, without even notifying Comín of the investigation. The committee operates under strict confidentiality, and its findings are communicated only to the Parliament's president, who decides whether to announce any sanctions in a plenary session.
While the European Court of Justice is expected to rule soon on aspects of the amnesty law, legal experts consider it unlikely that any decision will quickly alter Comín's status or the Supreme Court's position. Even if the ruling is favorable, several months could pass before Comín might safely return to Spain and formally assume his seat in Brussels. Only then could the Advisory Committee consider resuming its own investigation, which remains at a preliminary stage.
Comín has declined to comment on the current state of the proceedings, citing the confidentiality required of all parties. He has reiterated his denial of the allegations and his readiness to prove his innocence whenever and wherever necessary. The case has drawn attention in Catalonia, where legal and political disputes involving former officials remain highly sensitive. For context, other high-profile legal battles involving Catalan authorities have also made headlines, such as the recent trial of health officials over pandemic-era decisions, as reported in this coverage of the Covid vaccine delay case.
The internal investigation by Junts is separate from any potential criminal proceedings. The European Parliament does not initiate legal action in such cases, but the findings of its Advisory Committee could support a complaint in ordinary courts if the complainant chooses to pursue that route. The outcome of the party's disciplinary process may also influence Comín's future within Junts, depending on its conclusions and any subsequent legal developments.
Sexual harassment allegations within European institutions are typically handled with strict confidentiality, and outcomes are rarely made public. The case against Comín highlights the complex intersection of legal, political, and procedural issues that can arise when national and European jurisdictions overlap. As the situation evolves, both the party and the European Parliament are expected to maintain their cautious approach, balancing transparency with the rights of those involved.
