Overview

• Gallardo refuses to resign and, in a letter to party members, asserts he had no role in the hiring and accuses a minority of judges of acting with political intent.
• The Junta of Extremadura, through its presidency chief Abel Bautista, urges Gallardo to give up his regional deputy seat, calling it incompatible with sitting in the dock.
• The Audiencia Provincial backs Judge Beatriz Biedma’s investigation and sends both defendants to oral trial on alleged prevarication and influence peddling.
• Popular accusers including Manos Limpias, Hazte Oír, PP and Vox seek up to three years in prison, disqualification from office and repayment of roughly €130,000 if there is a conviction.
• PSOE’s revised statutes allow officials under investigation to remain in their posts until a final guilty verdict, a provision that lets Gallardo stay in office and intensifies polarized national reactions.