Arcadi España came out this Friday to defend the PSOE's reaction to the case of José Luis Ábalos and Koldo García, at a time marked by the new operation of the Civil Guard's UCO and by the search carried out in Valencia. The Minister of Finance assured that he observes the case with "anger, disappointment and sadness" and stressed that the party separated them from the responsibilities they held.
España made these statements at an informative breakfast of the Fórum Europa Tribuna Mediterránea, where he was introduced by the Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities and general secretary of the PSPV, Diana Morant. A day earlier, UCO agents had acted within the framework of a secret separate piece of the Koldo case instructed by the Audiencia Nacional, with a search of the former Minister of Transport's home and a request for information from Adif.
The PSOE claims tough decisions while the investigation remains open
The minister maintained that the PSOE adopted "very tough decisions" before many of the facts were known and stressed that Ábalos and Koldo are no longer "in any public office" nor are they part of the organization. He also defended that the party's action has been one of transparency and "absolute collaboration with justice".
This political defense, however, does not alter the judicial course of the case. España made it clear that it will be Justice that determines all these actions, referring to an investigation under secrecy.
The political battle moves to the campaign and the polls
Asked about the possible electoral impact of the operation in the general elections on November 29, the minister avoided anticipating a specific punishment and said that the cost "will be decided by citizens" at the polls. Immediately afterwards, he claimed that "zero corruption does not exist", although he clarified that what is decisive is how to face it.
His approach did not offer a shield against the case, but a political reading of the socialist response. España invited the rest of the parties to "reflect" and follow that example, while warning that each one can "connect the dots and draw their own conclusions" about the temporal coincidence between the new operation and the start of the campaign.
In that same vein, he warned that PP and Vox will try to "muddy" the electoral debate and pointed out that they have already disseminated "poorly educated" videos using artificial intelligence. Against that strategy, he advocated for speaking "truthfully about citizens' problems", the space in which, he said, the PSOE feels comfortable, even if the judicial front remains pending new movements.
