Galician Parliament Set to Launch Investigation into Alleged Irregularities During Pandemic Contracts
The Galician Parliament is poised to investigate alleged irregular contracts made by the Xunta during the pandemic period when Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the current leader of the Popular Party (PP), served as president. This decision comes after the BNG (Galician Nationalist Bloc) announced its intention to compel the activation of an investigative committee, despite opposition from the PP.
Ana Pontón, the national spokesperson for the BNG, revealed on Tuesday that her party would leverage the parliamentary rules that permit the establishment of a single investigative committee per legislative period if one-third of deputies from the same group backing it. With 25 deputies out of the 75 in the Parliament, the BNG fulfills this requirement.
The scrutiny aims to delve into specific contracts linked to the service company Eulen, notably drawing attention due to allegations concerning a conflict of interest, as Feijóo's sister is a director of the company. In a plenary session, the PP took a stance against initiating this investigation, prompting the BNG to advance its efforts.
Additionally, President Rueda's appointment of the partner of a director from the ENCE pulp mill as the new director of Environmental Quality has raised eyebrows. Critics from the BNG label this move as scandalous, given that it could influence decisions impacting the company. In response, the PP has dismissed these concerns as merely crude and unprofessional accusations.
The upcoming investigation will not only focus on Eulen but also encompass a broader examination of direct contracts amounting to 4 billion euros entered into between 2018 and 2024. Specific contracts related to the construction and management of non-medical services at the Álvaro Cunqueiro Hospital in Vigo will also be scrutinized. An audit report from the Concellos de Contas indicated that the Xunta's decision to handle construction and service contracts as a joint venture could have resulted in cost savings exceeding 470 million euros if managed separately.
Furthermore, the BNG has criticized President Rueda for concealing himself behind the PP's parliamentary majority to evade questions surrounding contracts signed with Eulen. Despite the PP’s dominance, the BNG is determined to bring accountability to light, asserting that they will utilize their 25 seats effectively to incite this inquiry.
Pontón emphasized, 'We will use the strength of our 25 deputies to bring everything to light. Whatever they say, I can assure you there will be an investigative committee to uncover what the PP wants to hide.' The PP spokesperson, Alberto Pazos, contended that accusations from the BNG reflect an attempt to draw parallels with Nicolás Maduro's political strategies, ultimately aiming to tarnish the image of the opposition leader Feijóo amid a backdrop of alleged corruption allegations surrounding the government.
In light of these events, questions arise as to why the PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers' Party) seeks to probe into contracts with a company associated with Feijóo’s family, especially considering that Eulen received 54 million euros from the Galician administration since Feijóo's election victory in 2009. As the political tension escalates, the forthcoming investigation promises to reveal more about the dealings of the Xunta during a critical time.
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