Ábalos remains silent on leaked messages with Sánchez amid ongoing investigations

José Luis Ábalos, former minister of transport and current deputy of the Mixed Group, has opted not to pursue legal action regarding the recent leaks of his private WhatsApp messages exchanged with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. These revelations, published by El Mundo, have stirred significant discussion within the political sphere.

The debate unfolds in the backdrop of a plenary session at the Congress of Deputies, where lawmakers are set to vote on the validation or repeal of Royal Decree-Law 4/2025. This legislation aims to address the ramifications of U.S. tariff policies, with the government proposing a financial package of €14.1 billion to counteract adverse impacts on commerce.

Despite the ongoing scrutiny surrounding his communications, Ábalos has distanced himself from the Moncloa, the official residence of the Spanish government, which has announced plans to trace the origin of the leaks. Meanwhile, Ábalos has made it clear that he does not intend to file a complaint regarding the dissemination of these messages.

In a striking turn of events, the leaked messages reveal Ábalos's candid assessments of various regional socialist leaders, including Javier Lambán and Guillermo Fernández Vara, whom he described in unflattering terms. This correspondence took place during and post his tenure as transport minister, illustrating the tensions within the PSOE.

The leak also includes correspondence from 2023, highlighting Ábalos's solidarity with Sánchez amid the unfolding Koldo case, which involves alleged irregularities in mask contracts. “I am writing to express my support against the unfounded claims we are seeing in the media,” he stated in one of the messages.

Furthermore, the messages implicate former Deputy Prime Minister Pablo Iglesias, as Ábalos criticized him for publicizing the coalition government's achievements in a manner he deemed counterproductive. “What a fool Iglesias is for releasing his video during the press conference. I think it’s not malice but rather folly,” he remarked.

In contrast to Ábalos's stance, the Moncloa has urged the Supreme Court to initiate a separate investigation into these leaks. Reports indicate that the messages were part of a hard drive seized from Koldo García, a former advisor now entangled in legal troubles.

García has requested the National Court to return all confiscated materials following the exposure of the scandal bearing his name. He argued for the retrieval of devices confiscated during a February 2024 raid on his properties, which included his residence in Polop de la Marina.

As the investigation progresses, the Supreme Court continues to examine the devices belonging to both Ábalos and García, alongside other key figures. This inquiry seeks to verify allegations surrounding bribes linked to the procurement of health materials, a matter of growing concern in the current political landscape.

While the ramifications of these developments unfold, the focus remains on the integrity of political discourse and the implications of leaked communications on governance and public trust in Spain.