Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy is set to appear before MPs over a corruption scandal threatening his ruling Popular Party (PP).
Mr Rajoy is to answer questions related to illegal payments from a slush fund run by the PP’s former treasurer, Luis Barcenas, who faces tax fraud charges.
Both he and other PP members deny claims they received illegal payments.
Widespread anger over the allegations has led to anti-government protests and calls for the PM’s resignation.
Clashes erupted between anti-government protesters and police in mid-July after more than 1,000 people gathered outside the PP headquarters calling on the government to quit.
Private text messages
Mr Rajoy is appearing before MPs after threats of a no-confidence vote.
He said: “I want to give an explanation and recount everything that has happened and give my side of the story… to all the citizens.”
The scandal came to light in January when El Pais newspaper published documents alleged to be a list of illegal payments within the Popular Party.
The list was signed off by Mr Barcenas, who is currently in custody on corruption and tax fraud charges, with his role in the scandal still being investigated.
He originally denied allegations that he wrote documents but later admitted they were in his handwriting.
The former party treasurer now says he made numerous bonus payments – in cash – to Mr Rajoy and other senior party members, out of the party slush fund of illegal donations by businesses.
Mr Rajoy and other PP members have repeatedly denied that they received illegal payments and have accused Mr Barcenas of trying to blackmail them.
Calls for Mr Rajoy to resign intensified after private text messages published by El Mundo newspaper suggested that he had friendly ties to Mr Barcenas from May 2011 to March 2013.
Mr Rajoy admitted sending messages of support to Mr Barcenas.
However, throughout the months-long scandal, Mr Rajoy has at no point given any indication he would resign, the BBC’s Tom Burridge says.
The Popular Party was handed a clear mandate by Spanish voters at the end of 2011 and as a result Mr Rajoy and his party enjoy a clear majority in parliament.
The corruption allegations coincide with Spain’s worst economic crisis for decades, with record unemployment and many Spaniards struggling to make ends meet.
BBC
