Corruption in Spain, the finances of the Spanish royal family revealed

KING JUAN CARLOS (Carlos Alvarez Getty Images)

A few weeks ago I wrote about corruption in Spain – and within days the Spanish news had headlines about the King of Spain’s son in law (the Duke of Palma) being summoned to appear before a judge to answer questions relating to allegations of corruption.  These concern the misuse of public funds given to a foundation that the Duke of Palma ran and were revealed during a larger investigation into corruption in Mallorca called the Palma Arena case.  The latter case had already led to the toppling of the conservative party (PP) President of the Baleares Government and his Environment Minister, Jaume Matas.

Soon after (and completely unrelated), it was announced that José Blanco, Spain’s public works minister (under the recent Zapatero socialist government), was being investigated for corruption.  Evidently, he is suspected of taking bribes for providing public subsidies.

Meanwhile, and on-going, is the trial of Francisco Camps.  The latter was the conservative (PP) party’s Premier of the Valencian Region, until forced to stand down in 2011, accused of accepting suits for political favours (the Gurtel corruption case).

Yet again, it seems that endemic corruption runs through every part of Spain and reaches to the very highest levels of society, irrespective of political party or position.  This is deeply damaging to Spain and the last thing the country needs whilst in the midst of an economic crisis, requiring the Spanish population to have faith in its institutions and the decisions taken on its behalf – particularly when those decisions are imposing austerity and hard times.

Certainly, the allegations against the King’s son in law, the Duke of Palma, are damaging because they touch upon the integrity of Spain’s Royal family.  This will not be welcomed by King Juan Carlos, who has a reputation for probity and is still highly regarded by most Spaniards for his actions after the death of General Franco and during the Tejero crisis.

In a country that is ‘naturally’ republican the monarchy needs all the support it can get and the Duke of Palma (whether proven innocent or guilty) will have certainly harmed the monarchy.

Indeed, it is hard not to believe that the King of Spain has not been deeply embarrassed.  Not only has he removed the Duke of Palma from all royal duties but the King has felt compelled to reveal the finances of the Spanish royal household.   These state that the total budget for the royal family is 8.4 m Euros (there is a staff of some 500 people).

Evidently, the King of Spain is paid 292,752 Euros a year, of which 140, 519 Euros is salary (taxable at 40%), with the remainder expenses.  Meanwhile Crown Prince Felipe is paid 146,376 Euros pa with Queen Sofia and the three princesses sharing 375,000 Euros between them.

One can only imagine how furious King Juan Carlos must be at having to reveal the finances of the Spanish royal household – but he must be given credit for doing so.   He has said this is to provide ‘transparency in modern times’, although the timing of the announcement, coming as the Duke of Palma is investigated, indicates that the opening up of the finances of the Spanish royal household to the public was undertaken as ‘damage control’.

However, what cannot be denied is the importance of the king of Spain being seen to be transparent and totally opposed to corruption in Spain.  As the moral ‘head’ of the country he needs to provide an example to the rest of the country and to try to change the culture of Spain relating to corruption, which is all too often seen as acceptable here (and a perquisite of anyone in power).

Nick Snelling – Culture Spain

FURTHER RELEVANT ARTICLES

Corruption in Spain – still a problem.

All the King’s men – Franco, the Tejero crisis and King Juan Carlos