Government still seeking guarantor to face €5.4m fine imposed on former officials

Two-week deadline given by Spain’s Court of Auditors due to expire on Wednesday

The Economy and Finance minister of the Catalan government, Jaume Giró (by Arnald Prat)
The Economy and Finance minister of the Catalan government, Jaume Giró (by Arnald Prat) / ACN

ACN | Barcelona

July 20, 2021 02:10 PM

The Catalan government said on Tuesday it is still seeking a financial guarantor to help former officials face a €5.4m fine imposed by Spain’s Court of Auditors for promoting the independence bid internationally.

With only a few hours to go before a 15-day deadline expires on Wednesday, 34 former officials, including ex-presidents Carles Puigdemont and Artur Mas, risk having their assets seized to pay for the multi-million euro fine.

In response to the ruling, the Catalan government, which remains under control of pro-independence parties, announced it would set up a risk fund of €10 million to cover fines such as those handed out by the Court of Auditors.

However, no bank has so far accepted acting as a financial guarantor of the fund, as confirmed by Finance minister Jaume Giró.