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June 19, 2013

Spain's opposition calls on premier to resign

BY: AP Staff Writer FEBRUARY 3, 2013 | MODIFIED: FEBRUARY 3, 2013 AT 9:46 AM
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Photo - Protestors shout slogans during a demonstration against corruption in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013. Spain's governing Popular Party insists its financial accounts are totally legal and denies a newspaper report of regular under-the-table payments to leading members, including current Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy. The scandal first broke when after the National Court reported that former party treasurer Luis Barcenas amassed an unexplained euro 22 million ($30 million) in a Swiss bank account several years ago. In a statement Thursday Jan. 31, 2013, the party denied the existence of "hidden accounts" or "the systematic payment to certain people of money other than their monthly wages." Spain's top prosecutor says there is sufficient cause to investigate fresh allegations of irregular financing of Spain's governing Popular Party and that if necessary Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy would be called in for questioning. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
Protestors shout slogans during a demonstration against corruption in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013. Spain's governing Popular Party insists its financial accounts are totally legal and denies a newspaper report of regular under-the-table payments to leading members, including current Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy. The scandal first broke when after the National Court reported that former party treasurer Luis Barcenas amassed an unexplained euro 22 million ($30 million) in a Swiss bank account several years ago. In a statement Thursday Jan. 31, 2013, the party denied the existence of "hidden accounts" or "the systematic payment to certain people of money other than their monthly wages." Spain's top prosecutor says there is sufficient cause to investigate fresh allegations of irregular financing of Spain's governing Popular Party and that if necessary Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy would be called in for questioning. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
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MADRID (AP) — Spain's opposition leader has called on Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to resign and allow another person to lead the government in the wake of an alleged corruption scandal that has engulfed the ruling Popular Party.

Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba said Sunday that serious doubts have been cast on Rajoy's credibility following media allegations that he and other senior members of his party had received under-the-table payments.

On Saturday, Rajoy denied wrongdoing and promised to publicly disclose his personal accounts. However, public disquiet led to impromptu demonstrations in several cities with protesters calling on Rajoy to resign.

Esteban Gonzalez Pons, one of Rajoy's senior political allies, rapidly came to the government's defense, saying that "Spain needs help, not more punishment."

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