Former Spanish Minister To Testify In Mask Scandal

Aldama alleges that former Finance Minister María Jesús Montero issued a clear order to the Tax Agency to defer a debt owed by one of her companies. The minister is expected to address whether certain actions, such as arranging a meeting regarding hydrocarbons for a specific individual, were taken as an individual. Observers are watching to see if the minister will distance himself from his former advisor or support him during the proceedings. The testimony is expected to clarify the level of distance the former minister maintains from advisor Ábalos. The PSOE party has requested authorization from the Supreme Court to address what they describe as defamation against the Socialist Party. Party members expressed that they are currently in a particularly unjust situation. The organization issued a statement denying that 500 euro notes were ever delivered. Secretary of Organization Rebeca Torró stated that the allegations are lies and are part of defense strategies. The group is currently awaiting a statement from Ábalos regarding previous claims. A former high-ranking member of the Socialist Party is scheduled to testify this coming Monday regarding the mask procurement scandal. The individual, described as having been central to both the government and the party, will have the opportunity to respond to allegations. The source noted the individual is among those accused in the case.