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The Guardian
18-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Spain's People's party hit by alleged multimillion cash-for-favours scandal
Just when Spain's opposition People's party thought it had the socialist government of Pedro Sánchez on the ropes over a series of corruption scandals, it has been hit by a controversy of its own over alleged trafficking of influences by Cristóbal Montoro, the former finance minister. It's alleged that Montoro established the so-called 'economic team', a lawyer's office linked to the finance ministry, which took kickbacks from gas and other energy companies in return for favourable government policy. It's claimed that between 2008 and 2015 Montoro and 27 other accused, among them senior treasury officials, were paid at least €11m (£9.5m) by major energy companies. According to the police investigation led by the judge Rubén Rus 'the economic team received large commissions in return for its capacity to influence legislative and executive powers' under the government of the then president, Mariano Rajoy, adding that 'the office was merely a vehicle to access the finance ministry'. In his report the judge comments that gas companies 'tried to influence legislation in accordance with their interests by using various lobbies but without success' and were only successful when the go-between was Montoro's economic team. 'Within a short period of time and for no apparent reason they obtained the desired legislative reforms,' principally in the form of lower tax liabilities, it concluded. It's also alleged that Montoro personally accessed the confidential tax records of political rivals in his own party, among them Esperanza Aguirre, the former president of Madrid, as well as several journalists and celebrities, including tennis star Rafa Nadal, the art collector and socialite Carmen Thyssen and Jordi Pujol Ferrusola, the son of former Catalan president Jordi Pujol, who was under investigation for corruption. It is said that Rajoy was warned about Montoro's activities but no action was taken. Montoro resigned from the PP on Thursday, and issued a statement saying 'there is no proof of any of the accusations'. The allegations are a blow to the strategy of PP leader Alberto Feijóo which has consisted of a relentless attack on Sánchez whose party is being investigated over a series of corruption charges. Feijóo said the revelations don't change his view that corruption must be rooted out, whoever is involved. 'What needs to be investigated must be investigated,' he said. 'This gives Sánchez a breathing space but it's not the end of it as more is likely to emerge from the judicial investigations,' said Pablo Simón, a political scientist at the Universidad Carlos III in Madrid. 'This levels the playing field and it's also a blow to Feijóo's strategy as it puts him on the defensive.' Simón said the latest scandal would reinforce the view of many voters that Spain's political parties, both left and right, were irredeemably corrupt. The only beneficiaries, he said, would be the far-right Vox party which, having never been in power, could claim to have clean hands. 'It's analogous to what happened in Portugal after the scandals involving the socialist and then the conservative governments which benefited the far-right party there,' Simón said.
Malay Mail
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Thai opposition puts no-confidence vote on hold, vows to prevent political deadlock
BANGKOK, July 3 — Thailand's opposition parties said on Thursday that they will hold off on launching a no-confidence vote against suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra pending a court ruling, but they vowed to work together to avoid political deadlock. Thailand's Constitutional Court on Tuesday suspended Paetongtarn from her duties after accepting a petition from 36 senators who accused the prime minister of dishonesty and breaching ethical standards following a leaked phone conversation between her and Cambodia's influential former leader Hun Sen. Leaders of the five opposition parties — including the Bhumjaithai Party which left the government coalition last month — met ahead of the reconvening of parliament on Thursday, vowing to work together to put pressure on the government. 'We must wait for clarity on the case being considered by the Constitutional Court involving Paetongtarn before deciding when to submit a no-confidence motion,' said Leader of the Opposition Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut. Natthaphong who is also head of the People's Party, which hold the largest share of parliamentary seats, said opposition parties will work together to ensure that there is no political deadlock, even if Paetongtarn is dismissed by the court. 'I confirm that all opposition party leaders have discussed and agreed that we will not let politics reach a dead end,' he said. The government which holds a slim parliamentary majority, is under fire from multiple fronts, including public protests, and has reshuffled the cabinet to shore up support from its coalition partners. A total of 14 new cabinet ministers were sworn in to duty by King Maha Vajiralongkorn on Thursday, including the suspended Paetongtarn, who will take on a new cabinet role as minister of culture. The cabinet will meet later on Thursday to appoint deputy prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai as the new caretaker leader. Phumtham, 71, who is a former defence minister, will take on the role of interior minister following the reshuffle. — Reuters
NHK
30-06-2025
- Politics
- NHK
Thai PM's popularity tumbles to 9.2% amid Cambodia row
A new survey shows Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's popularity has plunged, with just 9.2 percent of respondents saying they support her. Criticism has been growing over her handling of recent border tensions with Cambodia. The poll, conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration, asked 2,500 people who they think is best suited to lead Thailand, with the country facing ongoing political turbulence. The results, published Sunday, show Paetongtarn's support has tumbled from 30.9 percent in the same survey back in March. Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut of the opposition People's Party tops the latest poll with 31.48 percent, up from 25.8 percent in the previous survey. Thousands of protesters rallied in Bangkok on Saturday calling for Paetongtarn's resignation. She's facing backlash over a leaked phone call with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen. During their conversation about the border disputes, she seemed to disparage a Thai Army commander. Earlier in June, a group of senators filed a petition with Thailand's Constitutional Court demanding the prime minister be removed from office. The court is expected to decide Tuesday whether to take up the case.
Malay Mail
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Support for Thai PM Paetongtarn crashes to 9pc amid leaked ‘Uncle' Hun Sen call fallout
BANGKOK, June 29 — Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's popularity has plunged to single digits in a new opinion poll, as backlash over a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen continues to shake Thailand's political scene. According to Bloomberg, just 9.2 per cent of respondents backed Paetongtarn as their preferred prime minister in a nationwide survey conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) from June 19 to 25. That's a dramatic drop from the 30.9 per cent support she garnered in March. The youngest daughter of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, Paetongtarn has been under intense pressure since a June 15 recording of her conversation with Hun Sen surfaced, with critics interpreting her remarks as disparaging towards the Thai military. The scandal has triggered mass protests, with thousands of demonstrators gathering in Bangkok on June 28 demanding her resignation. The fallout also led to a coalition partner walking out, nearly causing her government to collapse. Despite the mounting pressure, Paetongtarn has so far resisted calls to step down. Meanwhile, the political momentum appears to have swung sharply toward the opposition. Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the People's Party, now leads the race for premier with 31.5 per cent support, up from 25.8 per cent in the last survey. According to Nida, Natthaphong's backers said they were drawn to his 'honesty and transparency' and hoped a younger generation of leaders would bring 'fresh ideas and policies' to the country. Still, nearly one in five respondents — 19.9 per cent — said no candidate was suitable to lead the country. Among political parties, the People's Party also saw a significant bump in popularity, rising to 46.1 per cent from 37.1 per cent. In contrast, Paetongtarn's Pheu Thai Party dropped to 11.5 per cent from 28.1 per cent. Paetongtarn was installed as prime minister in August 2024, following the Constitutional Court's removal of her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, for ethics violations. Thailand's ongoing political turmoil adds to broader economic concerns, with the country grappling with slowing domestic consumption, weak tourism figures, and pressure from potential US tariffs. The Nida poll surveyed 2,500 Thai citizens aged 18 and above nationwide.
NHK
23-06-2025
- Politics
- NHK
Thai prime minister claims coalition support after gaffe
Thailand's embattled prime minister says the ruling coalition parties still back her government. If that is the case, Paetongtarn Shinawatra's alliance will keep a slim majority in parliament's lower house despite calls for her to quit over a leaked phone conversation. Paetongtarn met with coalition leaders in Bangkok on Sunday. She later said in a Facebook post that the coalition's unity will be a key force in navigating a sensitive period. Pressure has been mounting on Paetongtarn after a phone call she had with former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen over border disputes was made public. In their talks, she referred to a regional Thai Army commander as being on the "opposite side." She apologized, but Bhumjaithai, then the second-largest coalition party, pulled out over the gaffe. Paetongtarn and her Pheu Thai Party are reportedly discussing a cabinet reshuffle with the remaining parties. The largest opposition People's Party continues to call for parliament to be dissolved.
