Trevijano was right: corruption as a pillar of the Spanish state
Trevijano's legacy gains ground: 35,000-hectare estates in Argentina, opaque shell companies linked to the Pujol family, and a system that, the data suggest, holds together on corruption.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Trevijano was right: corruption as a pillar of the Spanish state
"Little Spain is sustained exclusively by corruption." Antonio Trevijano wrote that line decades ago. The current political debate suggests he was not wrong. However much the official narrative insists on institutional solidity, the data now surfacing – 35,000-hectare estates in Argentina for treasurers of Spain's Popular Party (PP), shell companies such as Agropecuaria Andorrana S.A. linked to the Pujol family – reveal a subsoil that reeks of opaque money and cronyism.
The accumulation of cases – the La Sarracena estate of the party treasurers, the 41,000 hectares of Agropecuaria Andorrana in Salta – leads to an uncomfortable conclusion: no Spanish institution seems to escape the rot. The PSOE hands out rights in exchange for tolerance of plunder; the PP simply takes the land. Meanwhile, civil society watches an endless soap opera: "So now what? Vote to choose a different set of thieves to rob us?", ask the bluntest analyses.
Some have already written off the battle against systemic corruption. Against that resignation stands Trevijano's warning: that only the cowards survived the wars of the 19th century, and their descendants inherited a country where impunity runs rampant. The debate is on, and the headlines confirm it: the old professor's thesis gains ground with every new scandal emerging from the courts or the newspaper archives.
Related discussions in the forum
"Little Spain is sustained exclusively by corruption." Antonio Trevijano wrote that line decades ago. The current political debate suggests he was not wrong. However much the official narrative insists on institutional solidity, the data now surfacing – 35,000-hectare estates in Argentina for treasurers of Spain's Popular Party (PP), shell companies such as Agropecuaria Andorrana S.A. linked to the Pujol family – reveal a subsoil that reeks of opaque money and cronyism.
The accumulation of cases – the La Sarracena estate of the party treasurers, the 41,000 hectares of Agropecuaria Andorrana in Salta – leads to an uncomfortable conclusion: no Spanish institution seems to escape the rot. The PSOE hands out rights in exchange for tolerance of plunder; the PP simply takes the land. Meanwhile, civil society watches an endless soap opera: "So now what? Vote to choose a different set of thieves to rob us?", ask the bluntest analyses.
Some have already written off the battle against systemic corruption. Against that resignation stands Trevijano's warning: that only the cowards survived the wars of the 19th century, and their descendants inherited a country where impunity runs rampant. The debate is on, and the headlines confirm it: the old professor's thesis gains ground with every new scandal emerging from the courts or the newspaper archives.
Related discussions in the forum
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 (26 replies).
More summaries
-
La Sexta puts the Grandchildren Law on trial with an IU militant
Pilar Moura, interviewed by La Sexta regarding the annulment of her vote, belongs to the Federation of United Left Abroad. Review of the case...
-
Socialist Youth Group Under Scrutiny: Immigration, Borders, and National Question
The Socialist Youth Coordinating Committee advocates for class internationalism and does not defend Spain's unity; critics see an ideological rebranding.
-
The state as landlord: buying homes with €10 billion a year
Spain's plan for the state to buy homes and rent them cheaply runs into two problems: a housing shortage and a public housing stock plagued by unpaid rent.
-
Spain's Ayuso at it again amid immigration row
Isabel Ayuso, criticised for her immigration stance and lack of her own political voice, while the PP in Aragón approves opposite measures. Analysis of the debate.
-
Revilla, fed up with it all: the decline of the politician who defined Cantabria
After 40 years in politics and mounting criticism, Revilla no longer hides his weariness. Is this the twilight of Cantabria's last 'paco'? An analysis of his legacy and the…
-
Monedero suspended by Madrid's Complutense University over sexual harassment claims
Prosecutors dropped the case a year ago, but Complutense University has now suspended Monedero. A campaign against Podemos or hypocrisy? Details of the new scandal.