Barcelona, Spain – The Junts political party has decided to freeze its internal investigation into two complaints of alleged harassment – including psychological, sexual, and physical – against Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Toni Comín. This decision, made on February 2nd, comes despite the European Parliament reaching a resolution concluding there is sufficient evidence to support a complaint of psychological and sexual harassment filed by a former aide, according to a report obtained by ARA.
The move raises questions about the party’s handling of serious allegations against a prominent figure as Comín continues to deny any wrongdoing. Junts maintains the investigation is paused due to a “matter of jurisdiction” and prioritizes any potential disciplinary proceedings that may arise within the European Parliament itself.
According to sources within Junts, the party delivered the complaints filed by the alleged victims, along with supporting documentation – including written statements detailing the alleged incidents – and the confidential resolution from the European Parliament to Comín. This action, while providing Comín with the details of the accusations, simultaneously halts the party’s own internal review.
The European Parliament’s findings stem from an investigation that included interviews with witnesses deemed credible, corroborating the claims made by the former aide. The Eurochamber reportedly considered the evidence strong enough to potentially pursue legal action against Comín, and even offered to cover the costs of such a case, as reported by RAC1 and Crónica Global.
Comín, though, has vehemently denied the accusations, stating that the European Parliament has not contacted him to present their findings and that the resolution is preliminary. He also reserves the right to take legal action against those he believes have falsely accused him with the intent to defame him.
The situation is further complicated by a second complaint filed internally within Junts by another aide. This complaint alleges a physical assault by Comín during a tense moment on election night in Catalonia on May 12, 2024. Unlike the first case, this second complaint was not submitted to the European Parliament.
The report details that both complainants accuse Comín of employing a “delaying strategy” and request that the jurisdictional conflict between the Junts Guarantee Commission and the European Parliament be declared non-existent. They also seek the resumption of the disciplinary procedure, the adoption of precautionary measures against Comín, his immediate resignation from all positions, recognition of the alleged harassment, and a public apology – a “brief, sober, and direct statement, without justifications, minimizations, or exculpatory arguments.”
However, the Junts Guarantee Commission, led by Congressman Josep Pagès, has rejected all of these requests. The commission argues that activating the anti-harassment procedure within the European Parliament remains hypothetical as Comín currently does not hold a seat. They believe a potential ruling from the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) regarding amnesty laws could allow Comín to fully assume his position as an MEP, potentially triggering a latest investigation within the European Parliament.
The commission has set a timeframe of four to eight months to keep the internal investigation frozen, acknowledging that an indefinite suspension is not feasible. They also determined that the precautionary measures requested were not sufficiently justified, stating that the alleged misconduct has not been repeated since June 2024 and that there is currently no professional, personal, or physical proximity between the complainants and Comín.
Regarding the request for Comín’s resignation and apology, the commission stated it was not the appropriate time to delve into the merits of the disciplinary case, but rather to resolve the jurisdictional issue regarding the priority of proceedings within the European Parliament versus the internal party investigation. The commission applied the same reasoning when the complainants requested that the facts be qualified as “very serious,” arguing that Comín’s alleged behavior aligns with actions constituting “very serious offenses” under the party’s regulations, including violations of human rights and acts of violence or intimidation.
the commission declined to assess claims that Comín invoked his status as a political exile or victim of repression as justification or mitigation for his alleged actions. The resolution is final and not subject to appeal by either the complainants or Comín.
This situation unfolds against the backdrop of Toni Comín’s established political career. Born in Barcelona in 1971, Comín has served as a Regional Minister of Health for Catalonia and is currently an MEP, having been elected in July 2019. He is also the executive vice-president of the Council for the Republic, a Catalan independence organization. His political affiliations have shifted over the years, including stints with the Socialists’ Party of Catalonia and the Republican Left of Catalonia before joining Junts in 2020.
The decision to pause the investigation raises concerns about transparency and accountability within Junts, and leaves the alleged victims in a state of uncertainty. The next step hinges on the potential outcome of the CJEU ruling and whether Comín will ultimately secure his seat in the European Parliament, potentially reopening the investigation at that level. For now, the internal inquiry remains on hold, leaving a cloud of allegations hanging over a prominent Catalan politician.
The case is likely to continue to draw scrutiny as it unfolds, particularly given the sensitive political context surrounding Catalan independence and the broader debate about harassment and accountability in public life. The coming months will be crucial in determining how Junts handles these allegations and whether Comín will face further consequences for his alleged actions.
What’s Next: The Court of Justice of the European Union is expected to issue a ruling in the coming months regarding the law of amnesty, which could impact Toni Comín’s eligibility to fully assume his seat in the European Parliament. This ruling will likely determine whether the European Parliament will reopen its investigation into the allegations against him.
