The PSOE has taken advantage of the decision by National Court judge Santiago Pedraz to postpone, for now, the possible indictment of the party in the Leire Díez case to attack the Popular Party and accuse it of using the courts for political purposes. In a statement accessed by ElConstitucional.es, the socialist Organization Secretary, Rebeca Torró, lashed out at the popular party's strategy and defended that the party has nothing to hide in the investigation.
"The PP is desperate to judicialize politics to hide its true program: Cuts, Resentment, and Setbacks," Torró stated in the message disseminated by the socialists, in which she also maintains that the popular party can no longer divert attention from their formation.
The socialist leader accompanied her criticisms with a call to maintain the party's position in the face of judicial investigations. "But they can no longer hide it, nor will they distract us from our path," she said, before conveying a message to the members of the organization: "We have nothing to hide, so heads high, comrades. We continue!"
The PSOE's reaction comes after Pedraz decided not to proceed for the moment with the party's indictment and opted to wait for new proceedings to be carried out. Among them is the statement of former socialist leader Santos Cerdán, whose appearance is pending within the framework of the case.
The PSOE clings to the judge's arguments to respond to the PP
In its statement, the socialists highlighted two fragments of the judicial resolution to argue that there are not yet sufficient elements to attribute the status of investigated party to them. The PSOE reproduced the magistrate's words to emphasize that the decision does not endorse, for now, the request promoted by the popular party.
"The truth is that with what has been done, what has been called a 'principle of proof' to attribute that status of investigated is not accredited," reads one of the passages cited by the party.
The party also highlighted another consideration from the instructor: "An element or principle of proof that reasonably supports its reality has not yet been incorporated."
Based on these arguments, the PSOE has insisted that it respects judicial timelines and has reaffirmed its willingness to collaborate with the ongoing proceedings. "The PSOE does respect Justice and its timelines and, as always, shows its full collaboration and total transparency in the investigations being carried out," states the communiqué.
The party concludes its response with a message of confidence in institutions and rejection of the accusations that motivated the PP's request: "Nothing to fear, because we have nothing to hide. Full respect and confidence in the rule of law."
Pedraz postpones possible indictment pending new proceedings
The judicial decision is part of the investigation into an alleged plot aimed at disrupting judicial procedures that would affect the PSOE. According to the hypothesis under investigation, the operation would have been led by Santos Cerdán and coordinated by former socialist militant Leire Díez.
The magistrate has chosen to wait for new actions to be carried out before deciding whether there are sufficient elements to attribute the status of investigated party to the party. Therefore, the decision does not imply the dismissal of the case nor does it rule out that the procedural situation of the party may change as the investigation progresses.
The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office has also considered it premature to request the indictment of the PSOE. In a report sent to the judge this Thursday, the Public Prosecutor's Office indicated that it sees indications against the party, but understands that pending proceedings must still be completed before taking that step.
Among the actions indicated is also Cerdán's statement. The Prosecutor's Office's pronouncement came after Pedraz requested a specific report on the possible indictment of the party.
The PP demands investigation of the PSOE for alleged illegal financing
The request for the PSOE to be investigated was promoted by the Popular Party, which exercises the unified popular prosecution in the case. The popular party demands that the possible criminal responsibility of the party for alleged illegal financing, in addition to other crimes, be investigated.
In its brief, the PP maintains that the actions carried out "confirm" that the party "defrayed" the expenses of the alleged "criminal organization at the indication" of Santos Cerdán.
The popular prosecution requests that possible crimes of bribery, embezzlement, influence peddling, money laundering, and illegal financing be investigated. However, the judge has chosen not to rule favorably on the petition at this time and to await the outcome of pending proceedings.
While the investigation continues, the PSOE has made Pedraz's decision the cornerstone of its political response to the PP, which it accuses of trying to move the judicial case into the electoral arena. The party maintains that it will cooperate with justice and has nothing to hide, while the investigating judge continues to gather information before deciding on the next procedural steps.
