Overview

• The Audiencia Provincial de Badajoz ratified the opening of an oral trial for Miguel Ángel Gallardo over alleged abuse of office and influence peddling tied to the 2017 hiring of David Sánchez.
• Extremadura’s government, through presidency chief Abel Bautista, urged Gallardo to give up his regional assembly seat, arguing it is incompatible to sit in the chamber and in the dock.
• Gallardo told party members he is innocent, denied any role in the hiring, and accused a minority of judges of attempting to wage politics from the bench.
• A December PSOE statute change allows officials under judicial investigation to keep their roles when political motives are alleged, which the party says applies to Gallardo.
• The Socialist group in the regional assembly expressed full confidence in Gallardo, with spokeswoman Piedad Álvarez voicing respect for the courts and calling for a prompt resolution.