PP Leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo Critiques Sánchez Over Corruption Allegations
Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the leader of the People's Party (PP), has openly criticized Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez for what he describes as inadequate explanations regarding corruption allegations involving Santos Cerdán, the Secretary of Organization for the PSOE. During a press conference in Genoa, Feijóo expressed disappointment after Sánchez's response to a UCO report that implicated Cerdán in managing bribery schemes linked to public works contracts.
Feijóo boycotted the commemorative event for Spain's 40th anniversary of joining the European Communities, using the opportunity to voice his discontent over the government's corruption issues. He remarked that Sánchez's attempt to portray himself as a victim is misguided, stating, "Don't play the victim because the victims are the Spaniards."
He highlighted that the number of individuals within Sánchez's inner circle being investigated for corruption is alarming, including family members and close advisors. "Corruption is already the watermark of this Government. Sánchez appointed them and renewed their trust always," Feijóo noted. He criticized Sánchez for using a seemingly distraught tone regarding the Koldo scandal, arguing that the public finds it hard to believe his sincerity, especially when he alleged to have learned about Cerdán's role only recently.
Further, Feijóo dismissed Sánchez's announcement of an audit for the party's accounts, asserting that investigations are already being conducted by the Supreme Court and the UCO. He stated that merely replacing Cerdán with someone else would not solve the underlying issues and emphasized, "The one who must fall is the one."
In his statements, Feijóo urged Sánchez's government partners to reconsider their alliances, warning that they risk transitioning from partners to accomplices if they continue to support him. However, he ruled out the option of presenting a motion of censure, suggesting it would provide a lifeline to Sánchez.
Concluding his address, Feijóo conveyed his solidarity with the Spanish citizens' sense of embarrassment over the current situation and hinted at the possibility of more corruption cases surfacing that could further risk Sánchez's leadership. He asserted, "Politics must return to being an honest task, and I do not intend to resign myself to this becoming a routine. What Spaniards deserve is a decent government."
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