Corruption is a cancer that corrodes institutions and undermines citizen trust. When a political party is splashed by corruption scandals, the response of its leaders is crucial. In this context, Pedro Sánchez's attitude towards the recent cases involving the PSOE represents a radical contrast to the evasive, denialist and blaming attitude that others have had, before the greatest enemy of democracy and the best friend of populism. Two images are worth more than thousands of words, and therefore, you can visualize the two that accompany this article and draw your own conclusions.
Transparency and collaboration with justice are fundamental pillars of a healthy democracy. A government that hides behind smoke screens and obstructs investigations can only generate distrust and fuel corruption.
Zero tolerance for corruption
Sánchez has shown courage in taking responsibility for the mistakes made, acknowledging that his government has an obligation to guarantee transparency and accountability. This attitude, far from being a weakness, is a sign of authentic leadership. A leader who takes responsibility inspires trust and credibility, demonstrating that he is willing to face problems and seek solutions.
Sánchez's courage in apologizing and committing to investigate the facts is a fundamental step to restore confidence in institutions and to strengthen the rule of law. Zero tolerance for corruption.
Sánchez has urged the authorities to investigate corruption cases and bring those responsible to justice, has promised changes in his Federal Executive and has not obstructed investigations, has not accused exogenous elements of the problem, nor has he alleged in his defense the existence of a general cause against the PSOE instigated by the media and has defended the independence of the security forces. Likewise, he has opened the PSOE in channel so that, beyond the institutional control of its accounts, these can be scrutinized through an external audit.
Internal reforms that strengthen control mechanisms
On the other hand, he has been transparent in his communication with the press and citizens, has made decisions that some may describe as traumatic and that affect people who had his trust without trembling, and has offered a press conference answering questions from the media, demonstrating a genuine commitment to the fight against corruption and the defense of the rule of law.
But, beyond apologies, I believe that there is an urgent need to undertake a profound reform. Taking responsibility is an important first step, but it is not enough. To prevent corruption in the short, medium or long term, it is necessary to carry out a deep self-criticism and carry out internal reforms that strengthen control mechanisms and promote a culture of integrity as opposed to that of impunity.
A government that takes the fight against corruption seriously must be willing to review its own procedures and implement measures to prevent future cases of corruption, deploying an ambitious legislative agenda aimed at making it almost impossible for the corrupt to roam freely and their corrupters continue to benefit as if that were normal, and also, a regulatory reform in the Cortes Generales that goes beyond the cosmetic of the code of conduct, breached every day, and to regulate the issue of lobbies.
Reform of the Public Sector Contracts Law
A responsible leader must put the common good before partisan loyalty and we know that citizen trust is essential for the proper functioning of a democracy. But we also know that honesty and transparency are the foundations of that trust. In this sense, colleague Pedro, as a member and public official of the party, I believe that you should order an in-depth audit, also external, of all the awards and contracts that have been carried out within what was the Ministry of Development between 2018 and 2021 and in the current Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility.
In addition, the reform of the Public Sector Contracts Law would be essential, where discretion is exceptional and can be combined, without any doubt, with strict legality, reformulating the contracting tables and control mechanisms, including the objection and the conditions for lifting it.
Raise a vote of confidence
Finally, I ask you, colleague president, not to rule out raising a vote of confidence, because I honestly think that you have that of many millions of Spaniards who do believe that the work of government that you preside over has done a lot and well for Spain and for those who need it most. You also have it, through its legitimate representatives in the Congress of Deputies.
I believe, without a doubt, that this would be the best external audit that you could have so that the deputies from all over the parliamentary spectrum could freely express whether they are willing to support the measures that have sustained the Welfare State, social justice, freedom and equality or if, on the contrary, they prefer to run the risk that the extreme right governs in Spain together with the extreme right with government programs such as those they have signed in the different autonomous communities in which they co-govern.
Pride to be a socialist, always with my head held high and a clean look, greetings and encouragement colleagues.
