ALERT: The PP sees Iceta’s “conflict of interest” and a possible crime of prohibited negotiations in the plug to her ‘husband’ at Iberojet
Sources confirm that the following story has emerged from the international scene.
The Popular Party demands an explanation from the government over alleged improper influence in a corporate bailout and the hiring of Miquel Iceta’s partner.
The Popular Party (PP) has escalated its criticism of Spanish Minister Miquel Iceta, accusing him of a significant conflict of interest over the hiring of his partner, Ángel García Rosique, as a pilot for Iberojet. The allegations, which stem from the controversial bailout of Ávoris for 320 million euros, are now at the centre of a growing political scandal. The PP has submitted a series of questions in Congress, calling for a detailed explanation from the government regarding whether it was aware of García Rosique’s imminent employment at Iberojet, a subsidiary of the company that benefited from the rescue.
Allegations of Conflict of Interest
The Popular Party’s accusations are based on documents revealed by EL ESPAÑOL, which detail the timing and involvement of Iceta in the bailout decision. Iceta participated in the Council of Ministers on March 16, 2021, when the decision was made to rescue Ávoris. Just two months later, García Rosique was hired as a pilot at Iberojet. The timing is central to the PP’s claims, which suggest that the hire was a direct result of the minister’s involvement in the financial rescue.
According to the PP, the involvement of Koldo García, a key intermediary in the hiring process, was not incidental. The KoldoGate WhatsApp messages, intercepted by Spain’s UCO police, show that the efforts to secure García Rosique’s position began in January 2021—almost two months before the bailout. In one message, Iceta even expressed his gratitude, thanking Koldo for the successful hiring: “Thank you very much! Today begins the rest of my life. Without you, it would not have been possible.”
“The necessary conditions for participation [in the World Cup] do not exist,” said Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali, referencing the devastating bombing that killed the Supreme Leader. “This corrupt regime assassinated our leader.”
Legal Implications: Conflict of Interest and Potential Crimes
The PP has framed the case as a violation of both administrative and criminal law. Under Spain’s Law 3/2015, which regulates conflicts of interest for senior public officials, Iceta is accused of making a decision that affected the economic interests of his partner. The law mandates that senior officials must abstain from decisions that could directly benefit their spouses or people with whom they have a close emotional relationship. Failure to comply with this regulation could result in severe penalties, including dismissal, disqualification from public office for up to ten years, and the loss of compensation after dismissal.
Moreover, the case could have criminal consequences. Article 439 of the Penal Code, which deals with prohibited negotiations, punishes any authority figure who uses their position to facilitate private gain, even indirectly. The law stipulates penalties ranging from six months to two years in prison, alongside substantial fines and disqualification from public office.
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If Iceta’s actions are found to have facilitated his partner’s hiring through a financial bailout, this could lead to charges of influence peddling. Under Article 428 of the Penal Code, any official who influences a decision for personal gain could face up to two years in prison and disqualification for up to nine years. The parties implicated would include Koldo García and Víctor de Aldama, the intermediary between the government and the company involved in the bailout.
A Deepening Scandal: Family Ties and Political Fallout
This scandal follows a series of similar controversies in which high-ranking officials have been accused of using public resources to benefit their families. The PP has linked the case to other recent instances of government-backed bailouts that allegedly involved influence peddling, such as the rescue of Air Europa (475 million euros) and Plus Ultra (53 million euros). The PP claims that the government’s handling of these bailouts has been tainted by corruption, highlighting the supposed “personal consideration” given to family members of political figures.
PP Deputy Secretary Cuca Gamarra has called for Iceta’s immediate resignation or dismissal from his post as ambassador to UNESCO, accusing him of using his public office to benefit relatives. “The use of the State structure to benefit relatives is a hallmark of ‘Sanchism,'” Gamarra asserted, referring to Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s leadership. As tensions rise over the scandal, the PP is pushing for a thorough investigation into the extent of the alleged corruption and conflicts of interest surrounding the government’s bailout decisions.
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Source: This article was originally published in another language by El Español – Home and has been translated and adapted for our global English-speaking audience. Read the original article here.