Context and Compromís claim
Compromís, the Valencian political party, has asked the Minister of Education, José Antonio Rovira, to return the 3,000 euros he spent on group meals and dinners using funds from his department’s fixed cash. These events were justified as ‘work meetings’, although they do not correspond to agenda activities. The expenses were made during the first quarter of the PP and Vox Government, according to the documentation obtained by Compromís.
Use of the fixed cash and criticism of Rovira
Compromís criticizes the use of the fixed cash fund by the councilor, since this mechanism does not require prior authorization of spending and lacks transparency. Furthermore, they point out that Rovira already receives a residence compensation of more than 4,000 euros, which they consider a flagrant irregularity. Joan Baldoví, Ombudsman of Compromís, has expressed his dissatisfaction with the lack of specificity in the justification of work lunches and dinners, since they do not appear on the public agenda of Minister Rovira.
Possible legal actions and criticism of the government
Compromís is evaluating the possibility of filing a complaint with the Anti-Fraud Agency so that the Mazón government returns the approximately 3,000 euros spent and the Minister of Education provides explanations. They consider that these excessive expenses are indicative of poor management by the PP government. Baldoví has highlighted that while budgets for the construction of schools are being cut and the Valencian public administration is being dismantled, excesses typical of the PP manual are being committed.
Conclusions
Compromís has demanded that José Antonio Rovira, Minister of Education, reimburse the 3,000 euros spent on group meals and dinners using funds from his department’s fixed cash fund. They consider these expenses to be irregular and criticize the use of the fixed cash register, an opaque mechanism that does not require prior authorization of the expense. In addition, they point out that the councilor already receives compensation for residence and consider that the irregularity committed is flagrant. Compromís is evaluating the possibility of filing a complaint with the Anti-Fraud Agency and criticizes the management of the PP government in the Valencian Community.