Pedro Sánchez backed PSOE executive spokesperson Montse Mínguez in Brussels following digital media reports detailing real estate holdings managed by Mínguez’s partner, Sergi Vélez. Speaking at the entrance of a leadership summit, Sánchez told reporters he offered his support to Mínguez.
Summit Backing in Brussels
Arriving at the summit in Brussels, Sánchez addressed questions regarding investigative reports published by digital news outlets. Those reports indicated that Vélez operates at least one real estate firm, Nest Capital, which reportedly holds 8 million euros in assets and manages between 20 and 30 rental properties in Lleida. Sánchez stated that he does not know the professional activities of Vélez, yet emphasized his backing for Mínguez.
“Of course I support her,” Sánchez told reporters outside the meeting venue. The prime minister added that he was surprised the Partido Popular wanted to open a national housing debate given previous controversies surrounding real estate assets tied to the president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso.
Family Business and Housing Law
Mínguez rejected the criticism by describing the enterprise as a legitimate family business that abides by regional property legislation. “It is a family business that is dedicated to renting and complies with Catalonia’s housing law,” Mínguez said, responding to the reports first highlighted by the digital outlet Artículo 14. She characterized the scrutiny as a personal attack, which she called the worst element of political life. “We are neither against companies nor against owners, but rather to limit the seemingly endless rise of rents and to protect vulnerable people,” the socialist spokesperson noted.
Political Pressures on Housing Decrees
Sánchez leveraged the unfolding situation to increase political pressure on conservative opposition groups. Pointing to the ongoing debate over housing availability and cost, the prime minister suggested the controversy might force conservative parliamentary groups to reconsider their opposition to housing decree laws. “Maybe this will make the right-wing parliamentary groups that shot down the decree laws rethink their stance,” Sánchez said, welcoming a renewed national discussion on the housing market.
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