Corruption case hits Rajoy’s chances of governing

The general election in Spain on the 20 December 2015 left no single party able to form a government. Long and protracted negotiations took place in January 2016 as to a pact between political parties to form a government.

Incumbent Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s chances of leading the next Spanish government were hit by developments in various corruption scandal involving his Popular Party.

In February 2016, the head of Madrid's branch of the party, Esperanza Aguirre, announced she had resigned after police investigated members of her office for alleged illegal financing.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Spanish Socialists want coalition with anyone but Rajoy http://www.europeansources.info/record/spanish-socialists-want-coalition-with-anyone-but-rajoy/

ESO: Key Source: Spanish general election, 2015 http://www.europeansources.info/record/spanish-general-election-2015/

El País, 27.01.16: PP corruption cases set to hinder negotiations with Ciudadanos http://elpais.com/elpais/2016/01/27/inenglish/1453884424_985650.html

EurActiv, 15.02.16: Top Rajoy aide resigns over corruption affair http://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/top-rajoy-aide-resigns-over-corruption-affair/

The New York Times, 14.02.16: Esperanza Aguirre, an Official in Spain’s Governing Party, Quits Amid Corruption Claims http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/15/world/europe/esperanza-aguirre-an-official-in-spains-governing-party-quits-amid-corruption-claims.html

Euronews, 14.02.16: Madrid People’s Party leader resigns amid corruption probe http://www.euronews.com/2016/02/14/madrid-people-s-party-leader-resigns-amid-corruption-probe/

El País, 15.02.16: PP regional chief Aguirre resigns as pressure over corruption rises http://elpais.com/elpais/2016/02/15/inenglish/1455521428_034437.html

Politico, 15.02.16: PP corruption undermines Rajoy’s survival strategy http://www.politico.eu/article/party-corruption-undermines-mariano-rajoy-survival-strategy-spain-president-popular-party-pp-partido-popular-ciudadanos-podemos-psoe-pedro-sanchez-rivera-iglesias/

---