A Madrid judge investigating the state-backed rescue of Air Europa has summoned Environment Minister Sara Aagesen and other participants in the process to testify on Nov. 23.
Those called include Correos president Pedro Saura, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s economic adviser Manuel de la Rocha and former Sumar spokesman Íñigo Errejón. Their testimony is scheduled six days before Spain’s general election, El País and Cadena SER reported.
The case concerns a €475 million loan granted to Air Europa in November 2020 by a state fund for strategic companies managed by SEPI. The court is examining complaints by the conservative People’s Party and Vox over alleged irregularities in the approval process. SEPI vice president Bartolomé Lora is the only person named as under investigation in the court order.
Errejón had previously criticized the bailout, saying it violated conclusions reached by a parliamentary commission on social and economic recovery. He has been summoned as a witness. Being called to testify does not mean he has been charged.
Judge José María Escribano has also asked SEPI to identify officials and technical staff involved in processing the loan and attending meetings of the fund’s governing board. The board backed the operation before it was approved by the Cabinet. Other Spanish news outlets have reported the same dates and witness list.