David Sánchez’s conviction has opened a new political and legal chapter that extends beyond the criminal responsibility of the Spanish Prime Minister’s brother. The question is no longer directed solely at the individual who was convicted, but also at the institution that paid his salary for years: the Provincial Council of Badajoz.
At the forefront of that institution stands Raquel del Puerto Carrasco, President of the Provincial Council and member of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE). So far, she has revealed no plan focused on reclaiming the more than €340,000 paid to David Sánchez, even though several legal experts contend that public funds ought to be safeguarded.
The Provincial Court sentenced David Sánchez to a period of disqualification from public office for the criminal offense of administrative misconduct (prevaricación administrativa) related to his appointment. However, the ruling did not order the restitution of the salaries received because the Provincial Council itself never sought such compensation during the criminal proceedings, a circumstance that has sparked intense legal and political debate.
It is precisely this lack of institutional action that is now drawing criticism. If a public administration believes that its assets may have been harmed by an appointment that has been declared unlawful, many legal experts argue that it is reasonable to expect the institution to explore every available legal avenue to recover public funds.
An Institution That Stays Quiet
What stands out is not only the absence of any claim for repayment, but the institution’s complete silence.
Since the conviction was disclosed, the Provincial Council led by Raquel del Puerto has not indicated whether it plans to take legal steps to recover the funds or clarified its position on the new legal efforts now underway.
This silence is particularly significant because the appointment at the center of the conviction took place under Socialist leadership of the Provincial Council, when the institution was headed by Miguel Ángel Gallardo, who has also faced legal proceedings in connection with the same case.
The lack of explanation has fueled criticism from those who believe that any public administration has a duty to defend taxpayers’ money regardless of the political party involved.
The Court of Auditors Steps In
With the Provincial Council taking no action, a separate legal route will now be pursued to assess whether financial liability may apply.
Iustitia Europa has announced that it has filed a complaint before Spain’s Court of Auditors (Tribunal de Cuentas), requesting that it examine the possible recovery of the more than €340,000 received by David Sánchez during his time at the Provincial Council of Badajoz. The organization argues that public funds should be protected if the administration suffered an economic loss.
The Court of Auditors must now assess whether the legal conditions are in place to require repayment of those funds.
Transparency and Accountability
Beyond the judicial outcome of this initiative, there remains a political issue that is difficult to ignore.
Thousands of residents of Extremadura face a heavy tax burden while public administrations continue to ask families and businesses to make financial sacrifices. In that context, it is understandable that many citizens expect any public money whose payment has been questioned in court to become, at the very least, the subject of a serious effort to recover it whenever the legal framework allows.
For this reason, the President of the Provincial Council, Raquel del Puerto Carrasco, ought to clearly present the institution’s official stance, stating whether it aims to reclaim public funds, believes there is no legal foundation for such action, or simply intends to remain inactive.
Institutional transparency extends beyond merely handling public resources; it also demands accountability whenever those resources are subject to public examination.
Until those explanations are provided, silence will continue to occupy the place that should instead belong to political accountability.