By Beyza Binnur Donmez
GENEVA (AA) - Spain's anti-corruption prosecutor has launched an investigation into the far-right Vox party following allegations of illegal financing practices, local media reported Monday.
Spain’s Socialist Party filed a legal complaint in December, claiming that Vox has been collecting money through donation boxes in public spaces since at least 2020.
Authorities are examining whether Vox’s fundraising methods violate legal regulations, according to Spanish news agency EFE.
In its complaint, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Socialist Party says it conducted an in-depth analysis of Vox’s fundraising methods, focusing on street donation stands. The party estimates that these activities have generated about €5 million ($5.4 million) over recent years.
Beyond donation boxes, the complaint also points to the sale of merchandise at Vox's street stands as another opaque means of raising cash. The complaint argues that collecting anonymous donations and selling promotional items without proper financial records or receipts could breach legal regulations.
These practices allow funds to be mixed with other anonymous donations, which are recorded in amounts below €300 to avoid disclosing donor identities, the Socialists argue.
- Allegations of hidden loan from Hungary
The complaint also highlights a €6.5 million loan allegedly received by Vox from MBH Bank Nyrt, a Hungarian bank whose main shareholder is a state fund linked to Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
The Socialist Party claims that Vox attempted to conceal this loan in its financial records.
If proven, this could constitute another violation of Spain’s political financing laws, which prohibit foreign governments, public institutions, or state-affiliated entities from funding political parties.