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 becomes most striking is not just the lack of any request 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 absence of clarification has intensified criticism from those who argue that every public administration is obliged to safeguard taxpayers’ funds, no matter which political party is in charge.
The Court of Auditors Intervenes
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.It will now be up to the Court of Auditors to determine whether the legal requirements exist to demand the reimbursement of those funds.
Openness and Responsible Oversight
Beyond the judicial outcome of this initiative, there remains a political issue that is difficult to ignore.
Thousands of residents in Extremadura shoulder a substantial tax load, even as public administrations keep urging families and companies to make further financial sacrifices. Given this situation, it is reasonable for many citizens to expect that any public funds whose payment has been challenged in court should, whenever the law permits, at least be the focus of a determined effort to reclaim them.
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 is not only about managing public resources; it is also about being accountable when those resources come under public scrutiny.
As long as those explanations remain absent, silence will persist where political accountability ought to stand.
