The acquittal of former president Francisco Camps and three councilors by the National Audience over Gürtel contracts has sparked a wave of reactions in the Valencian Courts. A PSPV spokesperson, José Muñoz, emphasized: “We respect the judicial decisions, but in Camps’ case political responsibility is clear. Valencian society has not absolved Camps. The PP paid for its era in government at the polls, and some of its ministers, like Blasco, were convicted of corruption during Camps’ time. We respect the court’s ruling, yet his era was disastrous for the Valencian Community, much like Formula 1 or that reputational mortgage. Camps has not been absolved by the citizens, nor by his politics; rather, his era was condemned.”
“It was the PP that ended his political career”
In that line, he pointed out: “We did not decide to end Camps’ political life; the PP did that. We do not believe rehabilitation comes from those who cut short a political career. That responsibility lies with the PP.” He added: “We saw that the PP and Camps’ era were judged by the ballot in 2015. In 2011, the full scope of Camps’ cases wasn’t known. By 2015, the cost of the F1 project, the City of Light, and the unmanageable debt were clear, and Canal 9 had already closed. In 2011, the urns gave their backing, but once the combined effects on Camps and the PP emerged, the electoral condemnation was severe. Camps did not stand for re-election in 2015 because the PP did not allow it. We will soon see what those who decided to end Camps’ political life decide next. The mortgage of Camps’ policies is still being paid,” he concluded.
“Center of a corrupt web”
From Compromís, spokesman Joan Baldoví agreed: “All due respect to the judicial decisions, but one thing cannot be hidden: Valencia was among the worst epicenters of corrupt schemes. Gürtel implanted itself during Camps’ administrations. Respect for courts aside, it’s important to recall that Camps led a government where Gürtel conducted numerous deals that drained Valencian public money.”
“More front pages than the royal family”
Vox’s spokesperson in the Valencian Courts, José María Llanos, hailed Camps’ acquittal: “Congrats to Camps on his exoneration, just as with the other charges. A notable fact: in a single year he had more front pages in El País than the royal family. It’s a sad reality for a news cycle.” He also criticized the left, noting: “They cannot walk around crying because a political opponent faced accountability for the sexual assault of a minor, while pursuing a smear campaign for political reasons.”
He further added: “Respect for the tribunals is essential, and politics is one thing; condemning individuals before judges act is another. They talk about lawfare, but that has been a feature of political life for years. If a man appears on hundreds of front pages and is ultimately acquitted, that signals an attempt to politicize the judiciary. Those who weaponize the courts are the ones engaging in lawfare,” he concluded.