PP to address Parliament over Bárcenas case, but Rajoy lets his vice-president do so instead of him
Wednesday, September 18, 2013 @ 12:03 PM
THE government is due to 'testify' in Parliament today over the Bárcenas slush-fund scandal – but it will be vice-president Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría, not Mariano Rajoy, who will stand up and face the questions from the opposition.
Socialists say they hope president Rajoy will in fact be 'brave enough' to at least take part in the discussion in Congress today (Wednesday) and have chosen not to give any specific requests for information about the former treasurer's alleged 'underground accounting system' as they do not want the PP to pre-empt, or attempt to block, their questions as was the case six weeks ago when Rajoy finally responded to the opposition's pressure and stood up in Parliament.
Minister of Justice Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón is also expected to speak out, and other major parties – including Izquierda Unida, or IU ('United Left') have decided to use the same tactic as the PSOE to ensure their questions are not vetoed or met with pre-scripted replies.
The PSOE has called for a second testimonial in Parliament as they consider there are contradictions between the PP's previous claims in August and the declaration in front of judge Pablo Ruz by vice-secretary general, María Dolores del Cospedal.
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