Today's News: Judge investigates Zapatero's accounts
Today's current events are marked by judicial progress in the investigation into former President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero and tensions between the central government and the autonomous communities. Additionally, the Regional Government of Andalusia is intervening in the case of the El Algarrobico hotel, and a small earthquake was recorded in the north of the country.
National Court judge José Luis Calama is investigating bank transfers of former President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero that could be related to the public bailout of the airline Plus Ultra. The Economic and Fiscal Crime Unit (UDEF) suspects that commissions of two million euros may have been collected for each managed tanker carrying Venezuelan crude oil. In his statement, Zapatero justified his income as being for the preparation of reports on geopolitics (the study of politics and international relations). For his part, the leader of the People's Party, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, has stated that he sees a future indictment of the PSOE as possible in relation to these cases.
In the regional sphere, the Minister of Territorial Policy, Ángel Víctor Torres, has caused unease in the Canary Islands and the Basque Country. During an appearance in Congress, Torres stated that he addresses the demands of these communities primarily because they have asked him to, which has been interpreted by local sectors as a slight toward their historical demands and a reduction of their needs to a mere formality.
In Almería, the Regional Government of Andalusia has decided to intervene due to the lack of municipal action to demolish the El Algarrobico hotel, a construction that has stood for 20 years despite being illegal. The regional government will request the High Court of Justice of Andalusia (TSJA) to annul the building permit to finally proceed with the dismantling of the building on the coast.
On the other hand, the Cabildo of Tenerife (the island's governing body) will allocate 3.3 million euros to improve sanitation and sewerage in the municipalities of Santa Úrsula and Tacoronte. This investment also includes the hiring of 54 young people in eighteen public companies to promote youth employment in the region.
Finally, the National Geographic Institute recorded a magnitude 3 earthquake near Sena de Luna, in León, during the early hours of Wednesday morning. The tremor was felt slightly in nearby towns such as Langreo and Mieres, although no significant damage has been reported.
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