The European Union's probe into Ineco, Isdefe, and Tragsa risks overstepping its mandate and undermining Spain's sovereignty. These companies are already subject to Spanish law, national audits, and judicial oversight. The Ábalos case is being handled by Spanish prosecutors and courts, which have the competence and resources to address any wrongdoing.
Critics argue that the EU's involvement is politically motivated, aiming to centralize control over member states. Spain has robust anti-corruption mechanisms, and the creation of ad hoc EU investigations can duplicate efforts and create unnecessary bureaucracy. This adds costs and delays to critical infrastructure projects managed by these companies.
Furthermore, the investigation could damage the reputation of thousands of honest employees. The presumption of guilt harms morale and efficiency. Spanish officials contend that the case does not indicate systemic failure but rather isolated misconduct, which domestic authorities are already addressing.
Instead of EU intervention, the Spanish government should be allowed to reform its oversight independently. A cooperative approach, with the EU providing guidance rather than imposing sanctions, would be more effective. The current path risks politicizing a legal matter and straining EU-Spain relations.