Spanish government equates convicted Ábalos with Ayuso in corruption remarks

The Spanish government has responded to the landmark conviction of former minister José Luis Ábalos by vowing that "whoever does the paying, whether called Ábalos or Ayuso," drawing a direct comparison with Madrid's regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso Source: lavanguardia, infobae. The statement came a day after the Supreme Court sentenced Ábalos to 24 years and three months in prison for corruption, organized crime, and influence peddling in the 'Mascarillas' case Source: elespanol.

Government's defense

Ministers Óscar López and Elma Saiz insisted that the PSOE acted "months before the sentence" by demanding Ábalos give up his seat and expelling him from the party, contrasting this with the PP's alleged protection of Ayuso Source: elmundoes. "We are still waiting for the PP to act," López said, accusing the opposition of being "devoted to protecting, shielding and covering up all of Ayuso's corruption" Source: infobae. Saiz reaffirmed the government's "zero tolerance" for corruption and stated that political responsibilities were assumed "from the first moment" Source: infobae.

Criticism and contrast

Media outlets noted the asymmetry: Ábalos has been convicted, while Ayuso faces no formal charges. El Español highlighted that Ayuso "does not have any judicial proceedings open against her," criticizing the comparison Source: elespanol. El Mundo described the government's strategy as a "y tú más" (you too) tactic to deflect attention from its own scandal Source: elmundoes. López himself acknowledged that "not all cases are equal" but argued that the PP fails to act on its own corruption issues Source: elmundoes.

The government's remarks come ahead of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's appearance in Congress, where he is expected to present anti-corruption measures Source: elconfidencial.