The Pardo de Vera clan and the €100 billion hole
Between €60 billion and €100 billion lost each year: the Pardo de Vera clan and the railway corruption scheme reaching into Spain's government.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
The Pardo de Vera clan: corruption and €100 billion
For a year now, accusations have been circulating about the Pardo de Vera clan, allegedly the core of a corruption scheme in Spain's railway infrastructure. The husband of the central figure is said to be the brains behind the business dealings, while her sister tries to clean up the family's image with lectures on sarracena. The figure being cited is staggering: between €60 billion and €100 billion lost every year from the state budget, part of it diverted through rigged contracts.
The scheme is said to have enjoyed political protection. The "axis of evil" — as the group backing it is known — guaranteed impunity until the police order finally came, according to critics, far too late. "About time," analysts sum up.
The case raises an uncomfortable question: how could a family clan operate unchecked for so long? The official account clashes with the magnitude of the figures which, if true, would amount to the biggest corruption scandal in Spain's democracy. The verdict, for now, is skepticism.
For a year now, accusations have been circulating about the Pardo de Vera clan, allegedly the core of a corruption scheme in Spain's railway infrastructure. The husband of the central figure is said to be the brains behind the business dealings, while her sister tries to clean up the family's image with lectures on sarracena. The figure being cited is staggering: between €60 billion and €100 billion lost every year from the state budget, part of it diverted through rigged contracts.
The scheme is said to have enjoyed political protection. The "axis of evil" — as the group backing it is known — guaranteed impunity until the police order finally came, according to critics, far too late. "About time," analysts sum up.
The case raises an uncomfortable question: how could a family clan operate unchecked for so long? The official account clashes with the magnitude of the figures which, if true, would amount to the biggest corruption scandal in Spain's democracy. The verdict, for now, is skepticism.
Also available in: Deutsch
Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (62 replies).
More summaries
-
Ceuta: the police report some say exists and others deny
A police report on Ceuta with 32 photographs, according to how it has been described, and the state of exception some are calling for, which does not fit under Article 116.3
-
Spain's 238,000 Police Spark Debate on Police State
Spain has 238,000 police and Civil Guards, totaling 506 per 100,000 inhabitants. Comparisons to Francoism reignite debate on a potential police state.
-
Real estate holdings of Montse Mínguez's partner spark PSOE controversy
Sergi Vélez, partner of PSOE spokesperson Montse Mínguez, manages Nest Capital with 30 rental properties, according to Artículo14. The case reignites debate over...
-
Debate over Spain's November 11 general strike
A forum user proposes a revolutionary general strike for November 11 and the debate turns into criticism of the Spanish Government and the strike's organisers.
-
Ayuso and the wearing down of her leadership in Madrid: the debate
A forum debate on Isabel Díaz Ayuso's political wear-and-tear in Spain: criticism of her record, a fragmented left and the migration factor.
-
Spain's tactical left-wing vote swings to PSOE, sinking Podemos
Hundreds of Podemos voters and those further left than PSOE in Spain announce tactical voting for the Socialists to block the far right, while the right doubts that…