Sumar MP at Center of Supreme Court Probe into Altafulla Contracts. The Supreme Court of Spain has summoned Sumar MP Félix Alonso Cantorné for questioning in a case involving possible corruption in the awarding of municipal contracts in Altafulla. The investigation focuses on the period when he served as mayor of the town.
The Supreme Court of Spain has scheduled the questioning of Sumar en Comú Podem deputy Félix Alonso Cantorné for June 15. His status is that of a suspect in an investigation into possible corruption involving municipal contracts in Altafulla (Tarragona), where he served as mayor from 2011 to 2019. The investigation began after the case was transferred from the El Vendrell court, which in April granted Alonso Cantorné special status and forwarded the materials to the Supreme Court.
According to investigators, during his time as head of the municipality, Alonso Cantorné may have used a system of awarding so-called 'minor contracts' to circumvent mandatory transparency procedures. This allowed contractors to be selected directly and awarded contracts, which, in the court’s view, created a risk of arbitrary distribution of municipal funds. Case materials indicate that the matter concerns not only potential corruption, but also systemic violations in the process of awarding and paying for contracts.
As part of the investigation, the Supreme Court has already heard testimony from about a dozen witnesses. The court emphasizes that it does not rule out the possibility of uncovering other violations related to contract awarding practices and subsequent payment for services. Additional investigative actions have been scheduled to clarify all circumstances and to confirm or refute the existence of a crime.
In parallel with this case, the High Court of Catalonia is conducting its own investigation into contracts signed by the Altafulla municipality with the consulting firm Sinergia in 2017–2019. This company is controlled by former Generalitat Interior Minister Joan Ignasi Elena and former Iniciativa per Catalunya leader Joan Herrera. The contracts were framed as external legal support. Among those implicated is also former Iniciativa representative Salvador Mila.
The issue of municipal contracts in Spain regularly draws the attention of courts and the media. Questions of transparency and oversight of public spending arise not only in large cities but also in smaller municipalities. For example, in Madrid, the authorities’ responsibility for school safety was discussed after an incident involving a student injury, as covered in detail in the article on the dispute between city agencies. Such cases highlight the importance of oversight of municipal actions and transparency in fund allocation.
For reference: the 'aforado' status held by Félix Alonso Cantorne as a deputy means that his cases are handled exclusively by the highest courts. In Spain, the practice of small contracts is commonly used for urgent procurement, but it requires strict compliance with procedures to prevent misuse. In recent years, courts have tightened their approach to such cases, especially where recurring schemes and large sums are involved.
