Pedro Sánchez defends "zero tolerance" of corruption

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, answers questions from members of Parliament (Pool Congreso)

In the control session held in the Lower House, Pedro Sánchez advocated "zero tolerance of corruption" in response to the questions he was asked about the recent case affecting his party.

In his reply to Gabriel Rufián, a member of the Republican Parliamentary Group, the president highlighted the work the Executive has done in strengthening transparency, accountability and democratic quality. In particular, he referred to the approval of a new framework for the fight against corruption in the private sphere and the repeal of the reform that reduced the time needed for the investigation of large-scale corruption cases.

Furthermore, Pedro Sánchez defended the actions of the progressive coalition government: "We were chosen for many things. In one I have not been up to the mark, but we will continue to defend this government's roadmap of social progress, transformations, coexistence and the defence of a multilateral model and peace in the world". The head of the Executive also expressed his willingness to "listen to the contributions of other parliamentary groups so that my government and I can regain the trust lost by citizens as a result of this case".

Anti-corruption actions

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, during the control session in the Lower House of Parliament | Pool Congreso

During his speech, the head of the Executive also reiterated to the PP member Alberto Núñez Feijóo the commitment to fight corruption, while at the same time highlighting the results of the Government's management: "We have acted and this will not overshadow the extraordinary moment for the economy, employment, social progress and coexistence that our country is going through", he stressed.

In the same vein, Pedro Sánchez reminded Vox MP Santiago Abascal that during the seven years of the progressive coalition "there has not been a single corruption ruling against this administration".

On the other hand, during his speech in the Lower House, the president ruled out bringing forward the general elections.

Non official translation