Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has bowed to public pressure, saying he will appear in parliament to answer questions about the scandal involving alleged secret payments he received from his party.
After refusing for weeks, Rajoy said Monday that he would give Å“all the explanations” in parliament in late July or early August on the alleged slush fund.
This comes after a poll was published on July 21 showing 89.1 percent of those questioned thought Rajoy should respond to the allegations.
On the same day, the country’s opposition threatened to introduce a motion of censure against Rajoy if he does not face the lawmakersâ„¢ questions.
Luis Barcenas, a former treasurer of the premierâ„¢s Popular Party, told the court on July 16 that he handed Rajoy 25,000 euros (USD 33,000) in cash in 2010.
He has also given an investigating judge accounting document indicating that he channeled about 8 million euros (USD 10 million) to Rajoy and other party leaders from the private sector.
Rajoy has denied any wrongdoing and rejected calls to step down over the issue. He dismissed calls by opposition lawmakers to answer questions on the scandal in parliament.
The scandal has threatened to destabilize the government as it is struggling with a deep recession and record unemployment of 17.16 percent in the first quarter of 2013.
CAH/HN
Republished with permission from: Press TV