Spanish political tensions escalated as María Chivite, President of Navarra, testified before the Senate investigation committee examining the 'Koldo case,' defending her interactions with former PSOE organizational secretary Santos Cerdán while denying any improper influence over public contracts. Chivite characterized the parliamentary inquiry as a 'Roman circus' due to the conduct of UPN and PP parties, maintaining that political officials do not interfere in administrative procedures. Her testimony came amid growing scrutiny over infrastructure projects in Navarra, particularly the Belate tunnel works, where anticorruption authorities have identified irregularities.

Chivite acknowledged requesting Cerdán's accompaniment to meetings at various ministries to secure Spanish government funding for N-121 A road projects, describing these interactions as part of his parliamentary duties representing Navarra. She emphasized that Cerdán attended in his capacity as a Socialist deputy, asserting that neither she nor the regional government took orders from him. The Navarra president clarified that their discussions focused on Navarran political matters rather than contract awards, stating she never consulted with him about public procurement processes in the region.

The investigation has revealed contradictory accounts regarding relationships between key figures. Bernardo Ciriza Pérez, former Navarra councilor and trusted associate of both Chivite and Cerdán, denied knowing Koldo García during Senate testimony, despite media reports indicating repeated meetings between them. Ciriza's nervous, hesitant denials contrasted with Koldo García's recent statement acknowledging that some people now find it preferable to publicly disavow knowing him. These conflicting narratives have complicated the investigation into alleged fund diversions to PSOE accounts.

Anticorruption authorities have raised serious concerns about the Belate tunnel contract, declaring it 'null and void' due to detected irregularities in the bidding process. The contract was awarded to a temporary business union including Servinabar, where Cerdán allegedly controlled 45% ownership. Chivite's government plans to submit objections to the anticorruption report while analyzing administrative procedures for clarification and strengthening. The president confirmed her last conversation with Cerdán occurred around 9:30 AM on the day the UCO investigation report implicating him was made public, shortly before his resignation and preventive detention.

The Spanish Popular Party (PP) has unveiled a new immigration strategy centered around a points-based visa system, echoing proposals first floated by former Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy in 2008. The plan, revealed during the party's third programmatic retreat in Murcia, aims to prioritize...

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