BarcelonaThe Montoro case has shaken the PP, upending its plans and throwing it into disarray at a time that was already sweet because the Spanish government was under siege due to the Cerdán case. “Who knows what else could come out; that will have a big impact,” maintains a PP leader, who suggests that this case could significantly damage the party. It is a fear and concern that runs deep within the party. While some, despite acknowledging this, want to play it down, all the voices consulted by ARA indicate that the case has interrupted the political dynamic of cornering the state executive, and has given Pedro Sánchez oxygen, at least for the moment. But it has also brought to light another factor: the old wars within the party, although some sources want to downplay this. Revenge is emerging against the former Minister of Finance Cristóbal Montoro himself and also against his political family, the Sorayismo, linked to the former Spanish vice president Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría, of which he was a prominent loyalist, also in the leadership struggle with Pablo CasadoMeanwhile, the party’s leadership is trying to continue targeting the PSOE for the cases affecting it and to shield its leader, Alberto Núñez Feijóo. etc., had passed by his office…”, this source speculates, adding that, in his opinion, digging into the tax data of rivals such as Esperanza Aguirre or José Manuel Soria already reveals “mafia-like behavior” due to “personal confrontations.” However, many of those affected belong to the liberal sector and the most hardline wing of the hardline wing of the wing. It is likely that there are members seeking revenge.” Because it is once again circulating that a section of the hardline wing, which does not control the party, wants to liquidate former Sorayistas.

‘Sorayism’

The current situation could lead to an attempt to “seize the score and take advantage of it to take out someone in Madrid,” according to another leader. These would be people who consider themselves victims of the plot or those on the more right-wing side, distant from Feijóo’s pragmatic leadership, who could now find the opportunity to, at least, poke around. Some of the most hardline rivals include state leadership member Elías Bendodo; Andalusian President Juanma Moreno; former Secretary General Cuca Gamarra; and MEP Esteban González Pons and their entourages, according to sources. All of them are established, except for Gamarra, who occupies a secondary role. However, there are sources who downplay this and frame it within a certain desire for “prominence” by people “from the past.” Hence, one leader emphasizes that “it does not affect the internal dynamics,” much less in terms of “reopening old wars.” But several voices are qualifying the confrontation with the liberals and focusing on the strictly personal aspect.

Rato and Soria have already appeared in various media outlets to attack Montoro and, in the case of Aguirre, also former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, although he cleared Feijóo. It is Rajoy who remains “very affected,” according to all sources, to the point that from now on he may be forced to reduce his public appearances.

Concern over Alberto Nadal

“The problem is Alberto Nadal.” Some sources emphasize this former secretary of state under Montoro and current member of Feijóo’s economic team to point to a possible weakness in the party. Therefore, these voices are not sure whether his continuation is viable, although the party leader confirmed it. What has also caused the Montoro case is a certain state of internal turmoil because many, like the leaders consulted, did not even suspect the former minister’s behavior. In fact, some even suggest that, unlike corruption in the Valencian Community and the Balearic Islands, in this case there had been no rumors of illegalities, and they suggest that a “betrayal of trust” has occurred.

The official line of the leadership, which has also had to handle the case of MP Noelia Núñez these days, resigned for having falsified the curriculum, is “that it be investigated to the end” and to extricate Feijóo from the matter. But this has changed the outlook: all voices believe that “the adversary has been given ammunition” with the “bad luck” that occurred when Sánchez was “cornered,” but they cling to the belief that there will be “more times from Cerdán,” referring to possible new information affecting the PSOE. A recurring idea among leaders is that “the case of the former Socialist number three cannot be compared” with that of Montoro because the latter “affects the current government.”

Leadership sources believe the strategy consists of focusing on Sánchez’s parliamentary defeats and insisting on the message that “he is politically strapped.” On the other hand, they want to avoid a press conference with Feijóo so that he does not have to answer uncomfortable questions about the case. The Popular Party leader will take stock on Monday before the party’s executive committee, but will not appear before reporters. In parallel, the PP is also trying to address sectoral issues to escape the ghost of Montoro, reports Andrea Zamorano.