The appointment of Sílvia Orriols’s daughter as an interim officer in Ripoll’s local police force has drawn criticism from Catalonia’s political leadership. President Salvador Illa and most parliamentary groups have questioned the ethics of the move, citing concerns about transparency and conflicts of interest in municipal hiring. The focus has shifted from legal considerations to the standards expected of public officials.
Speaking at a press conference marking the midpoint of his mandate, Salvador Illa said it was unwise to present oneself as a moral authority, especially when personal decisions come under scrutiny. He clarified that the Generalitat had no involvement in the interim hiring process, which was managed locally. But, he noted that the regional government will participate in the competitive process for a permanent police position, for which Orriols’s daughter is also a finalist. That later appointment has sharpened scrutiny because the role would place her under the mayor’s direct political authority.
Sílvia Orriols, mayor of Ripoll and leader of the Catalan nationalist far-right party Aliança Catalana, has often criticized traditional parties for nepotism. She defended her decision, saying her daughter had undergone a selection process with proper guarantees, and argued that the situation was not comparable to a direct appointment without competition. Ripoll’s opposition has separately alleged irregularities in the process. In an interview with La Vanguardia, Orriols rejected those claims, saying the critics’ report was presented as independent but had been prepared by someone who had spent 19 years on Junts’s payroll, and that the alleged irregularities “do not exist.” She said the legal services of the municipality and Aliança Catalana had rebutted the allegations.
Political reactions have been swift. Junts per Catalunya, the only party to demand explanations during the municipal session at which the hiring was announced, proposed that Orriols delegate security responsibilities to another councillor to ensure transparency. The mayor rejected the suggestion outright. Esquerra Republicana spokesperson Ester Capella also highlighted the ethical dilemma, noting that even if the process followed urgent hiring rules, the optics remained problematic. She criticized Orriols for failing to recognize her own contradictions.
Other parties have also criticized the decision. Jéssica Albiach of the Comuns described the episode as typical of the far right, accusing Orriols of opportunism and nepotism. Pilar Castillejos, representing the anticapitalist bloc, argued that the incident exposed a pattern of double standards within Aliança Catalana, where public rhetoric about transparency clashes with questionable internal practices.
The debate comes amid tensions and shifting alliances in Catalan politics, with public appointments facing increased scrutiny. Aliança Catalana’s rapid ascent has unsettled the traditional balance in the Parliament, as highlighted in recent developments covered by reports on the changing parliamentary field. The Ripoll case has added to ongoing discussions about the need for stricter ethical standards in local administrations.
In Spain, public-sector hiring is subject to legal and ethical oversight, but interim appointments can fall into grey areas where transparency is questioned. While the law may allow relatives to compete for positions, the perception of fairness is impressive to public trust. The controversy in Ripoll highlights the challenge of ensuring that local governments adhere to both the letter and the spirit of ethical governance. Opponents characterize the recruitment process as irregular; Orriols maintains that the allegations have been legally rebutted. The outcome of the permanent police recruitment process in Ripoll remains a focus of political scrutiny across Catalonia.
