Leire Díez scandal ties PNV to €112 m Tubos Reunidos rescue

The Central Operational Unit (UCO) of the Guardia Civil has produced a report linking former socialist activist Leire Díez, ex‑SEPI president Vicente Fernández and businessman Antxon Alonso to a network that sought to influence the award of a €112.8 million public rescue to the Basque steel firm Tubos Reunidos. Intercepted messages show Díez pressuring Basque vice‑president and economy minister Mikel Torres, citing the possible return of U.S. tariffs under a second Trump administration, e.g., “Lo de TTRR me acaba de decir Urrutia… máxime con la victoria de Trump…”. Payments of about €115 000 from Tubos Reunidos were channeled through Mediaciones Martínez, a company 98 % owned by Alonso. The report also notes that two former heads of the UCO admitted they felt pressure from senior Guardia Civil officials to “put a profile” on investigations affecting the government. The investigation, overseen by Audiencia Nacional judge Santiago Pedraz, has prompted the People’s Party to demand explanations from the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV), whose former leader Andoni Ortúzar is cited as having shown interest in the aid. No judicial conclusions have been reached; the case remains under investigation.