Ministry to investigate San Sebastián bid as Culture Capital
Neutrality of jury members under spotlight after complaints from losing cities
The Culture Ministry has opened an investigation into the selection process that awarded San Sebastián the title of 2016 European Capital of Culture.
On June 28, the Basque city beat out Córdoba, Burgos, Las Palmas, Segovia and Zaragoza, where some officials have complained that the jury was mixing politics and culture by overly valuing "San Sebastián's commitment to ending violence," in reference to the terrorist group ETA.
However, the investigation is now focused on the objectivity of the jury, particularly that of Cristina Ortega, who was apparently a cultural advisor to the Basque government and may have helped with San Sebastián's bid. Mayor of Córdoba, José Antonio Nieto of the conservative Popular Party, said that he received an anonymous CD with incriminating information on Ortega.
The ministry said the goal of the investigation is "to ensure the maximum transparency and objectivity of the [selection] process."
