Lorraine Williamson
The widening corruption scandal involving Spain’s former finance minister Cristóbal Montoro is sending shockwaves through the country’s political establishment, reigniting partisan tensions and offering fresh ammunition to the far-right Vox party as it looks to disrupt the traditional political order.
In a bid to draw a clear line, opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo of the conservative Partido Popular (PP) insisted in a recent interview that his stance on corruption is unwavering, regardless of political affiliation. “My view on corruption does not shift depending on who’s involved,” he said. Feijóo, who has held public office for over three decades, asserted that no official he personally appointed has been implicated in any corruption investigations.
He went on to call for a full and impartial inquiry into the Montoro case, adding that corruption must be tackled uniformly—without political shielding.
PP pushes back amid internal and external pressure
Feijóo also stood by Alberto Nadal, a key economic figure within the PP who previously served at the Ministry of Industry. While Nadal’s name has been linked to the period under investigation, Feijóo dismissed any suggestion of wrongdoing. “If at any point the suspicions are proven valid and explanations are lacking, I will sever ties,” he declared.
Party deputy secretary Carmen Fúnez echoed this defence, emphasising that Feijóo held no political role in Madrid during Montoro’s tenure as finance minister. She drew a pointed comparison with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, whom she accused of failing to take responsibility for unresolved scandals within his own Socialist party.
Vox seizes the moment
While the PP attempts to contain the political damage, Vox has seized on the moment to broaden its attack on Spain’s entrenched political class. Known for its hardline stance on immigration, the far-right party is now repositioning itself as an anti-corruption force and challenger to the bipartisan status quo.
Vox leader Santiago Abascal avoided naming Feijóo directly but launched a blistering attack on what he labelled a “corrupt two-party system”. His criticism focused squarely on Sánchez, whom he accused of inheriting “mafia-like practices” from Spain’s political past. On X (formerly Twitter), he commented, “Mr. Sánchez, you are a scoundrel, a corrupt person, and a traitor.”
To bolster its position, Vox has taken the rare step of formally joining legal proceedings against former Finance Ministry officials. This strategic move grants the party access to court documents and strengthens its narrative of institutional betrayal.
From migrants to systemic rot
In recent months, Vox had targeted underage migrant centres—particularly in towns governed by the PP—as part of its populist messaging. But the Montoro affair appears to have prompted a shift in strategy. The party is now turning its firepower on what it describes as the decaying core of Spain’s political architecture.
Though corruption scandals historically have limited impact on Vox’s core base, party strategists believe the scandal offers a rare opportunity to siphon support from disillusioned centre-right voters. Whether that gamble pays off remains to be seen, though polling trends—particularly from the Catalan public research institute CIS—already suggest momentum building on the far-right flank, even before the Montoro affair took centre stage.
Scandal’s echoes may reshape Spain’s political map
As investigations continue and political leaders scramble to control the narrative, the Montoro corruption case is fast becoming more than just a legal matter. It is a test of credibility, accountability, and the strength of Spain’s institutions—one that may redraw the country’s political landscape ahead of upcoming elections.
Source: El País