MARIANO Rajoy is either deluded or in denial, or both. Yesterday, he appealed to Spaniards not to regard their politicians as corrupt, after a minister became the first government casualty in a series of cases of alleged graft.
“I can understand the irritation and distrust of our citizens but suspicion should not be levelled at everyone,” he told parliament. “Most politicians are decent people. Spain is not corrupt.”
He has already apologised for political corruption, especially deep within his ruling centre right Partido Popular, but it fell on deaf ears.
Now with the number of politicians being investigated for corruption in Spain nearing 2,000, the PM has decided to attempt a different approach. Ditch trying to be honest and just bluntly treat the population and the rest of the world as if they are stupid - and blatantly lie.
Italy has its Mafia, but Spain does not need underground organised criminal organisations, it has political parties and politicians as their Godfathers - perhaps if Rajoy arose from his dreamy slumber with a horse’s head next to him in his bed, he may wake up properly.
Statements like that could not only prove to be the end of him but his party with the likes of Podemos gathering political momentum on a ticket to eradicate political corruption.
He will also probably lose out because after a comment like that, who can honestly take him seriously?