Spanish PM to speak on corruption case
Spanish prime minister to address Parliament on corruption case rocking his ruling party
Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is lit by a sun ray as he walks underneath trees with Romania's Prime Minister Victor Ponta, not seen, before a meeting at the Moncloa Palace in Madrid, Monday, July 22, 2013. Opposition leaders called for Rajoy to explain himself before Parliament or face a censure vote. Rajoy brushed off demands he should resign after text messages emerged showing him comforting a former political party treasurer under investigation over a slush fund and secret Swiss bank accounts. The treasurer has claimed Rajoy took under-the-counter payments, accusations denied by Rajoy. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)
MADRID (AP) -- Spain's prime minister will address Parliament on a slush-fund scandal that is rocking his ruling Popular Party after opposition parties threatened to present a no-confidence motion.
Mariano Rajoy said Monday he expected to make the address at the end of July or beginning of August.
Rajoy has become mired in a controversy concerning former Popular Party treasurer Luis Barcenas, who has been jailed while under investigation for running a slush fund and having huge secret Swiss bank accounts.
Rajoy's name is among top party members alleged to have received under-the-table payments from Barcenas, something he vigorously denies.
After it was found Rajoy had been exchanging friendly text messages with Barcenas as recently as a few months ago, the opposition threatened a no-confidence motion unless he explained himself to Parliament.
