El PP pide que Albares explique politización en diplomacia

The PP requested this Friday the appearance in the Congress of Deputies of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union, and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, to provide explanations before «increasing politicization and lack of transparency» regarding external service appointments and terminations.

Specifically, those in Alberto Núñez Feijóo asked Albares to appear before the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Lower House, as recorded in the request presented by their parliamentary spokesperson Miguel Teldado, as reported by Europa Press.

The «popular» party wants the minister to inform on his external leadership «in relation to the growing politicization and lack of transparency in the diplomatic career,» as well as «recent terminations and appointments in the Foreign Service.»

They also state that Albares should explain to the deputies «the measures they intend to take to ensure that Spain’s external action is governed exclusively by principles of professionalism, merit, and institutional neutrality.»

The request for the appearance of the head of diplomacy comes a day after the Spanish Diplomatic Association (ADE), the majority of members of the diplomatic career, sent a letter to the Minister requesting «objective criteria» and greater transparency in the selection process for ambassadors.

In it, they argued that «the process of posting vacancies and selecting candidates must be predictable and transparent, complying with predetermined terms and considering, according to objective and non-arbitrary criteria, the applications of the candidates, prioritizing those who present a more suitable profile for each vacancy.»

Additionally, there are «no precise standards in force regarding the classification of categories of diplomatic missions, the predictable duration of performance in the position, the specific merits to be evaluated for each one,» nor about the selection process.

To address this situation, they asked Albares to approve the new regulation of the diplomatic career «without significant delays.» The Ministry already has a text approved by the Council of State, but it has not yet been taken to the Council of Ministers for approval. It should be noted that in 2017, the Supreme Court annulled the precedent approved during the Government of Mariano Rajoy, understanding that it was not subject to collective bargaining.

FUENTE