The trial of Eduardo Zaplana, the former president of the Generalitat, which begins this Thursday, has arrived in the Congreso de los Diputados as political ammunition against the Partido Popular. The person who brought it into the spotlight is Transport Minister Oscar Puente, who counterattacked at Feijóo’s camp by pointing to other corruption cases currently being adjudicated that involve the PP. These cases offer a wider context to the ongoing debates around rule of law and accountability in the country, and Puente frames the discussion as a test of consistency in tackling corruption across all levels of government.
Puente argued that the conservative party applies a double standard when addressing corruption, paying closer attention to schemes involving third parties than to those that directly touch the party’s own leadership. He highlighted the case known as “La Perla Negra” that is being heard in Castilla y León to examine alleged cost overruns of around 20 million euros in a public works contract, noting that former regional PP president Juan Vicente Herrera is appearing as a witness. The remarks underscored the broader question of transparency and the perceived proximity of the political elite to corruption investigations, inviting listeners to reflect on whether accountability is consistent across different actors and regions.
“As a witness, of course, just as Rajoy was in Gürtel. Because you never admit to corruption at the highest levels that affect you,” Puente added, challenging the prevailing narrative offered by the PP leader who maintains that he has no knowledge of wrongdoing. This comparison to past high-profile cases amplified the political stakes in the current proceedings and reminded the public that allegations against senior figures in major parties are not isolated incidents but part of a wider pattern that prompts scrutiny from judicial and parliamentary bodies alike.
From there, Puente brought the discussion back to Zaplana, describing the upcoming trial as another chapter in a long arc of controversies involving members of the same political family. “Tomorrow begins the trial of another corruption case involving the PP, that of Mr. Zaplana. The prosecution seeks a lengthy sentence, and substantial assets seized abroad have already been reported. It will be important to observe the degree of awareness and direct involvement attributed to him, especially when contrasted with scenarios where others are judged for acts that may not necessarily implicate those outside the party circle,” he said. His remarks called for heightened attention to the links between political leadership, decision-making in public contracts, and the paths that investigations can take when powerful figures are under scrutiny.