Protests erupt after Spain PM denies corruption
Speaking at a special executive committee meeting on Saturday at his party’s Madrid headquarters, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said “it is false” that he received or distributed undeclared money.
Riot police clashed with protesters in Madrid late Saturday and impromptu demonstrations broke out in several other Spanish cities following the prime minister’s televised denial that he had accepted under-the-table payments.
Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy promised to publicly disclose the amount of funds in all his personal bank accounts, denying recent media reports that allege he and members of his governing conservative Popular Party accepted or made under-the-table payments.
Speaking at a special executive committee meeting on Saturday at his party’s Madrid headquarters, Rajoy said “it is false” that he received or distributed undeclared money.
“Next week, my statements of income and assets will be made available to all citizens,” he said, adding they would be published on the official website of the prime minister.
By late Saturday it was clear Rajoy’s pledge had failed to defuse popular disquiet as riot police cordoned off several of Madrid’s main avenues in a bid to stop protesters from gathering in large groups.
Attorney General Eduardo Torres-Dulce said Friday there is sufficient cause to investigate allegations of irregular financing within Rajoy’s party. Leading newspaper El Pais has published details of secret papers belonging to former party treasurer Luis Barcenas allegedly documenting undeclared payments.