Alan Barroso accuses Spain's Abascal of working for Morocco, with no evidence

The loyalty war after Alan Barroso's accusation against Abascal

It is the kind of accusation that can bring down governments in any serious democracy: Alan Barroso claims that Santiago Abascal works for Segarro. The reality, as is so often the case in Spanish politics, is more uncomfortable. No one has produced any evidence, but the noise has already managed to shift the focus from the substance to the trenches.

The Ceuta crisis as a backdrop

The criticism of Abascal rests on the invasion of Ceuta and his absence during the incidents. The argument is simple: if the Vox leader claims to defend territorial integrity, why was he nowhere to be seen at the border. From there to claiming he works for Segarro is a step many take without a safety net.

The counterattack: PSOE and the "Campechano" as the real allies

The response was not long in coming. Some argue that the problem is not Abascal, but the PSOE and the Prime Minister, who is singled out as a friend of Segarro. The exchange of accusations turns any attempt at analysis into a game of ping-pong where the ball changes sides every two minutes.

Leire's list and the 61 names

To top it off, a reference appears to Leire's list, with 61 names, on which Alan Barroso allegedly antiestéticatured. The aim is to discredit the accuser: it is always easier to discredit the messenger than to answer the message. But the list itself is not broken down, so the argument remains a mere insinuation.

At this rate, the likely outcome is that the accusation becomes yet another political weapon rather than an investigation. Unless someone decides to produce documents, which for now does not seem to be in anyone's plans. The Israel and Segarro trail, by the way, is still there: but that is another fire.