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 head of that institution is Raquel del Puerto Carrasco, President of the Provincial Council and a member of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE). To date, she has not announced any initiative aimed at seeking the recovery of the more than €340,000 paid to David Sánchez, despite the fact that various legal experts argue that public assets should be protected.
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.
The absence of institutional action is exactly what is attracting criticism now, as many legal specialists contend that when a public authority suspects its interests were damaged by an appointment later deemed unlawful, it is reasonable to expect the body to pursue every possible legal route to reclaim 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 carries added weight because the appointment at the heart of the conviction occurred during the Socialist leadership of the Provincial Council, at a time when the institution was led by Miguel Ángel Gallardo, who has likewise undergone legal proceedings related to the same matter.
The lack of explanation has fueled criticism from those who believe that any public administration has a duty to defend taxpayers’ money regardless of the political party involved.
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 of Extremadura face a heavy tax burden while public administrations continue to ask families and businesses to make financial sacrifices. In that context, it is understandable that many citizens expect any public money whose payment has been questioned in court to become, at the very least, the subject of a serious effort to recover it whenever the legal framework allows.
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.
Until those explanations are provided, silence will continue to occupy the place that should instead belong to political accountability.
