Madrid Minister Accuses Spain of Misusing €10.8 Billion in EU Funds as Legality Row Deepens
Updated
Updated · democrata.es · May 21
Madrid Minister Accuses Spain of Misusing €10.8 Billion in EU Funds as Legality Row Deepens
6 articles · Updated · democrata.es · May 21
Rocío Albert said Spain’s central government may have to return billions of euros in EU recovery money because it either failed to spend them or used at least €10.8 billion for pensions, welfare and Correos contributions.
Around 90% of Madrid’s own allocation has already been executed, Albert said, contrasting that record with what she called a budget workaround by the central executive to cover current expenses.
The dispute centers on 2024 accounts flagged by the Court of Auditors, which raised doubts over using unused recovery funds for pensions; two German MEPs also questioned the practice.
Brussels has said transfers tied to Spain’s pension spending do not in themselves breach EU rules, but Albert argued the need for such clarification shows the operation was already problematic.
With auditors calling EU funds a 'black box,' how can Brussels clear Spain of misusing billions without full transparency?
Is the EU's defense of Spain's spending a political move to protect the future of its controversial joint debt program?