Date to replace Rajoy set as new corruption verdict comes out

The People’s Party (PP), ousted from power in Spain after a vote of no confidence, has set the date for its extraordinary congress to decide on a replacement for Mariano Rajoy. PP will hold the debate to find a new leader on July 21 and 22 in Madrid. The former Spanish president announced he was also stepping down as party leader following his dethroning as head of the government.

This, as a new corruption verdict has come out against the party, just weeks after it was found guilty of receiving illegal funds in the Gürtel case, thus prompting now-president Pedro Sánchez to call a motion of no confidence.

Rajoy has called for a clean debate, stating that he will not intervene in the process. “I won’t point my finger at anybody, nor will I veto anybody,” he said.

Corruption scandal

Meanwhile, Spain’s National Court has confirmed that the PP in Valencia also received illegal funding linked to the Gürtel case in order to pay for three electoral campaigns. 18 out of the 20 defendants have been found guilty.

The ringleader of the plot, Francisco Correa, who is already behind bars was previously sentenced to 51 years and 11 months in jail in May, and will receive 5 years and 3 months more following the latest court ruling.

Those found guilty in this latest sentence include the PP’s former general secretary Ricardo Costa, who has been given four years in prison, as well as former PP member Pablo Crespo who was sentenced to five years in jail.