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Spain PM Rajoy to face parliament on corruption scandal Spain PM Rajoy facing parliament on corruption scandal
(about 3 hours later)
Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy is set to appear before MPs over a corruption scandal threatening his ruling Popular Party (PP). Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is appearing before MPs over a corruption scandal threatening his governing Popular Party (PP).
Mr Rajoy is to answer questions related to illegal payments from a slush fund run by the PP's former treasurer, Luis Barcenas, who faces tax fraud charges.Mr Rajoy is to answer questions related to illegal payments from a slush fund run by the PP's former treasurer, Luis Barcenas, who faces tax fraud charges.
Both he and other PP members deny claims they received illegal payments.Both he and other PP members deny claims they received illegal payments.
Widespread anger over the allegations has led to anti-government protests and calls for the PM's resignation. Widespread anger over the allegations has led to anti-government protests and calls for Mr Rajoy's resignation.
The allegations have touched a particularly sensitive nerve in Spain, hit by a double-dip recession and high unemployment.
Clashes erupted between anti-government protesters and police in mid-July after more than 1,000 people gathered outside the PP headquarters calling on the government to quit.Clashes erupted between anti-government protesters and police in mid-July after more than 1,000 people gathered outside the PP headquarters calling on the government to quit.
Private text messages Calls for 'truth'
Mr Rajoy is appearing before MPs after threats of a no-confidence vote.Mr Rajoy is appearing before MPs after threats of a no-confidence vote.
He said: "I want to give an explanation and recount everything that has happened and give my side of the story... to all the citizens." He said: "I want to give an explanation, tell everything that has happened and give my side of the story... to all the citizens."
The scandal came to light in January when El Pais newspaper published documents alleged to be a list of illegal payments within the Popular Party. On Wednesday, the deputy leader of the opposition Socialists, Elena Valenciano, said her party's aim was "two-fold - that the prime minister tell the truth and that he quit his post.
"If we don't get that [on Thursday], we will keep insisting and fighting for it."
The scandal originated in a 2009 judicial investigation into corrupt payments involving members of the Popular Party.
In January this year, El Pais newspaper published an alleged list of illegal payments within the party.
The list was signed off by Mr Barcenas, who is currently in custody on corruption and tax fraud charges, with his role in the scandal still being investigated.The list was signed off by Mr Barcenas, who is currently in custody on corruption and tax fraud charges, with his role in the scandal still being investigated.
He originally denied allegations that he wrote documents but later admitted they were in his handwriting.He originally denied allegations that he wrote documents but later admitted they were in his handwriting.
The former party treasurer now says he made numerous bonus payments - in cash - to Mr Rajoy and other senior party members, out of the party slush fund of illegal donations by businesses. The former party treasurer now says he made numerous bonus payments - in cash - to Mr Rajoy and other senior party members, out of the party slush fund of donations by businesses.
Mr Rajoy and other PP members have repeatedly denied that they received illegal payments and have accused Mr Barcenas of trying to blackmail them.Mr Rajoy and other PP members have repeatedly denied that they received illegal payments and have accused Mr Barcenas of trying to blackmail them.
The PP's deputy leader, Maria Dolores de Cospedal, has been summoned to appear before investigating Judge Pablo Ruz on 14 August.
Calls for Mr Rajoy to resign intensified after private text messages published by El Mundo newspaper suggested that he had friendly ties to Mr Barcenas from May 2011 to March 2013.Calls for Mr Rajoy to resign intensified after private text messages published by El Mundo newspaper suggested that he had friendly ties to Mr Barcenas from May 2011 to March 2013.
Mr Rajoy admitted sending messages of support to Mr Barcenas.Mr Rajoy admitted sending messages of support to Mr Barcenas.
However, throughout the months-long scandal, Mr Rajoy has at no point given any indication he would resign, the BBC's Tom Burridge says. However, throughout the scandal, Mr Rajoy has at no point given any indication he would resign, the BBC's Tom Burridge says.
The Popular Party was handed a clear mandate by Spanish voters at the end of 2011 and as a result Mr Rajoy and his party enjoy a clear majority in parliament.The Popular Party was handed a clear mandate by Spanish voters at the end of 2011 and as a result Mr Rajoy and his party enjoy a clear majority in parliament.
The corruption allegations coincide with Spain's worst economic crisis for decades, with record unemployment and many Spaniards struggling to make ends meet. The corruption allegations coincide with Spain's worst economic crisis for decades, and have threatened to destabilise government attempts to shore up the public finances and bring the recession to an end.