Rajoy follows orders in Parliament

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy will neither resign nor hold early elections. The opposition is going on vacation without getting its main objectives and creating the threat of disagreement from a weak Spanish Socialist Workers' Party. Rajoy's appearance in front of the Senate clarified some aspects of accusations of ex-Treasurer Luis Bárcenas, but did not clarify other doubts about how the Peoples' Party financed its last campaign and party donations from businessment that were designed to grease the wheels for awarding labor contracts to party favorites.

Secure and on the attack, Rajoy showed no qualms about saying that he was wrong to trust in someone who appeared innocent but was not, in reference to Bárcenas. He did admit that supplemental payments were made, declared by the Finance Ministry and therefore legal.

This had already been verified, but it should have been communicated earliery in order to minimize wasting political energy through arguing. The good part about Rajoy's intervention is reflected in the Plan to Regenerate the Democracy, a small list of measures that will attempt to regulate party accounts, donations and revenues. It will also strengthen public contracting and increase the penalties for corruption.

The bill will need backing by the Socialist party, which is dedicated to intensifying its role as the opposing party and improving its chances to win upcoming elections. Rajoy was forced to provide explanations, and his appearance in front of Congress was good for boosting the reputation of Spain's democracy and the strength of its economy, which is showing its first signs of growth.