The arrest of Vicente Fernándezformer president of SEPI, and Leire Diezformer head of the PSOE and plumber of Pedro Sánchez, during an investigation by the National Court into allegations of irregularities in public procurement, provoked a cascade of political reactions … in Andalusia and within the central government. The political forces took a stand after learning that both had been arrested by the UCO as part of an operation that remained secret.
Montero opts out
The first vice-president of the Government and Minister of Finance, Maria Jesus Monteropublicly distanced himself from Vicente Fernández, with whom he worked within the Junta de Andalucía and whom he appointed president of SEPI in 2018. Montero maintained this Wednesday that “he has not had a relationship with him for years” and assured that he does not know “What has this man been doing since he left SEPI?”. The minister insisted she was unaware of his activities after his resignation in 2019, when Fernández left office following the revelation of his accusation in the Aznalcóllar case, of which he was acquitted last week.
The head of the Treasury defended that the actions of the UCO are part of the judicial procedure under summary secrecy and that it is up to the courts to clarify the facts. Likewise, he avoided delving into the content of the investigation, emphasizing that “the government has no information” beyond what was sent by Justice.
The PSOE ignores
The spokesperson for the PSOE of Andalusia expressed the same meaning: Maria Marquezwho stressed that the actions of the police are not linked to the stage in which Fernández exercised his responsibilities in the Council. Márquez recalled that the former senior official no longer has organic ties with the party and defended the “absolute collaboration” of the PSOE with Justice. He also stressed that the party does not tolerate irregular behavior and that arrests must be investigated “to the last consequences.”
Regarding Leire Díez, Márquez stressed that he currently does not exercise any internal function in the Andalusian PSOE and that the current investigation corresponds to the judicial field.avoiding evaluating the facts as long as the matter remains secret.
Criticisms of the PP
The Minister of Economy, Finance and European Funds of the Government of Andalusia, Caroline Spaincriticized the government’s reaction after learning of the arrests and denounced “a thunderous silence” which he says Montero supports. Spain demanded explanations from the vice president and maintained that the police operation affected people who, at the time, held positions of responsibility linked to the PSOE.
The spokesperson for the Andalusian Government also considered that, given the public importance of the detainees, the Sánchez Executive should propose greater clarity on his previous links with the Administration. He also stressed that it is up to the Executive to guarantee transparency in procedures related to the management of public funds.
Voice attack
Vox also reacted to the arrest of Fernández and Díez, saying that the case demonstrates a “Legitimized socialist corruption”. The formation said that the investigation once again focuses on the positions appointed by the PSOE at different stages and asked the government for explanations on the public procurement control mechanisms.
The party insisted that Montero speak out more forcefully on the situation, considering that the detainees were occupying relevant positions in the institutional framework of the PSOE. Vox pointed out that the UCO investigation highlights the need to strengthen internal controls in public administrations.
The arrests of Fernández and Díez are part of an operation led by the Central Investigating Court number 6 of the National Court. The investigation focuses on alleged irregularities committed between 2021 and 2023 in the award of public contracts to different companies. For the moment, the content of the summary remains reserved and no further details were revealed on crimes under investigation.
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