Disconcerting Griñán

The irrevocable decision of José Antonio Griñán to stand down as the premier of the southern region of Andalusia and his replacement by Susana Díaz, which is expected to take place in September, does not breach any rules nor undermine political legitimacy. However, it does provide confirmation that the direction taken by the Andalusian branch of the Socialist Party has been to give priority to internal tactical moves rather than the commitments it took on with the public as a result of the regional elections that took place in 2012.

It is the public that deserves an explanation as to why, within the space of less than a month, Griñán went from announcing his intention not to stand again as head of the Andalusian government but would see out his term as premier — there are almost three years left in his current mandate — to deciding to leave office almost immediately.

According to Griñán, the reasons for his decision to stand down are of a personal and family nature. However, that has not stopped him from continuing to maintain the position he holds within the Socialist Party. The surprising haste of his departure adds weight to the idea that a decisive factor behind his decision is linked with the judicial investigation into the alleged fraud that took place in the labor force adjustment plan fund that his administration set up. Griñán is trying to shake off the pressure he has come under as a result of this probe, maintaining that there are no legal grounds for him to be indicted in the case. In this respect, you only need look at the unfolding of events to conclude that the case will continue to weigh on the political party that has governed in Andalusia since 1982 without interruption. However, it is possible that Griñán’s move could help take some of the heat generated by a legal problem — whose outcome is as yet uncertain — off the future Andalusian government.

The then comptroller general of the Andalusia administration, Manuel Gómez — who sent 15 reports to the regional finance department in which he warned of irregular procedures in the manner in which subsidies from the lay-off fund were disbursed, and on increases in its budget — was due precisely on Thursday to provide testimony in the case. Griñán, who headed the finance department between 2004 and 2009, has stuck to his claim that he did not read those reports. The current commissioner of the department, Carmen Martínez Aguayo, has put her hand in the fire for Griñan by publicly saying that she never passed on these reports to him when she was deputy commissioner.

In passing, what happened explains why the Andalusian Socialists hurriedly called primary elections, which served as a demonstration of internal strength and consolidated the political base of the future premier of the region. For Griñán, holding on for some time to the reins of the Socialist organization in Andalusia could be a means of paving the road ahead for his successor, although power-sharing has never worked well and was the reason that Manuel Chaves, the premier before Griñán, was pushed to one side. Sooner or later, Griñán will also have to give up the positions he retains within the party.

As regards the federal Socialist Party, Griñán remains as president and there are no signs he will forego playing a part in the immediate future of the party at the national level, which in the fall is due to hold a conference that will probably be decisive for the leadership team of Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba.