Feijóo Questions Electoral Integrity, Echoes Past Prime Minister Aznar's Controversial Claims

The president of the People's Party (PP), Alberto Núñez Feijóo, has cast doubts on the integrity of the electoral process and mail-in voting, reviving accusations of potential electoral fraud. His remarks echo those of former Prime Minister José María Aznar, who suggested that if party elections can be manipulated, general elections are susceptible to similar tampering. In a recent interview on Esradio, Feijóo noted, "It has been proven that Sánchez and his companions rigged part of the primaries; it is proven that they like fraud and they have committed it." Aznar's previous comments during an interview this past weekend suggested a troubling mindset regarding election integrity: "When one is capable of adulterating elections in their party, why wouldn't they be able to alter general elections?" He referenced intercepted conversations revealing instructions on how to manipulate votes in party primaries, which Sánchez narrowly won by just 16,000 votes. Feijóo echoed Aznar's sentiments with a rhetorical analogy: "If someone has robbed a jewelry store, why can't they rob a bank?" This claim raises alarms about the potential for fraud in upcoming elections, despite acknowledging the difficulty of such an act. While questioning the reliability of the postal voting system, he proposed that the PP should ensure thorough oversight of the electoral process, suggesting that it is indeed not foolproof. Reflecting on his past experience as president of Correos (the national postal service), Feijóo stated, "I have no doubts about the officials, but the system can have some gaps." He insisted that the PP has already requested supervision from the Electoral Board, which oversees the electoral procedure. Feijóo's statements implied skepticism towards the current administration's handling of mail-in voting, mentioning individuals like Leire Díez, who, according to him, has boasted about organizing mail-in voting. However, it is important to note that Correos clarified that Díez was never in charge of mail-in voting during the recent general elections and denied any wrongdoing. The PP has a history of stirring rumors surrounding mail-in voting and potential electoral fraud stemming from the July 23, 2023 elections. Following those elections, where Feijóo fell only four seats short of securing a governing majority with Vox, the candidate himself had fueled these conspiracy theories. Furthermore, Borja Sémper, the national spokesperson for the party, recently stated that the PP does not question the integrity of postal workers or officials. However, when pressed about specific concerns over potential fraud mechanisms, he refrained from providing detailed information. As accusations of electoral fraud resurface in the political landscape, they illuminate a growing trend among certain political factions in Spain to challenge the legitimacy of electoral processes without presenting concrete evidence. The implications of Feijóo and Aznar's insinuations could have significant consequences for public trust in democratic institutions as the nation gears up for future elections. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2