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Corruption to hit the European GP future?
By The Offsider
February 20 2009
The European GP in Valencia may be hit by recent news in Spain. Since a couple of months two big corruption plots have been unmasked, one of them involving important political and business charges, especially in the Madrid and Valencia regions. This hit especially hard the conservative party PP, of which Francisco Camps is the leader in Valencia.

What's more, yesterday morning he had to appear on a special press conference to defend himself from news emerged in most-read newspapaper in Spain, El Pais.

The El Pais information, which supposedly came from filtrations of the judicial indictment, claimed that Camps had received suits, worth estimated in 30.000€, from people now being accused of this major corruption plot and supposedly in exchange of some favors. No formal accusation by justice has been made yet, though this is not the first time corruption suspicions regarding Camps appear in the media.

At the same time Madrid Mayor, Alberto Ruiz Gallardón, admitted that a similar case, this time being an illegal favor treat in public business concessions to some enterprises involved in this corruption case, had happened in their administration, and they were investigating and looking to solve this issue.

All this news however, don't emerge as a surprise, as Mr. Camps implemented already a rule change in the internal status of the Valencian PP, which meant no longer a party member had to resign when being accused by the justice, but instead just when they are jailed or declared guilty. This happened just after Castellón council chief, Carlos Fabra, was taken to court for multiple corruption issues, of a different plot. Interestingly Fabra and Camps are close friends, and have mutually supported when an internal PP party "war" happened in the region between sides of Zaplana, former Valencia region president, and Camps, the current.

So how can all this affect the European GP in Valencia?

Well, we have to remember Camps has been the most public face of the creation of the Street Circuit race in Valencia, and he has been one of the leading figures in the negotiations with Bernie Ecclestone. Even Ecclestone has claimed being good friend of camps, and enjoying his conversations with him.The other party, the progressive PSOE, which governs the country under Mr. Zapatero, is however in the opposition of the Valencia region, and despite they vowed to be against the Street Circuit creation, it is unlikely that they will re-gain the local government, unless further justice actions force government changes.

Given that local elections won't be till 2011, and that PP still hold absolute majority, it is unlikely that the GP would be cancelled. Even if PSOE re-gain local government, we doubt they would try to cancel the F1 agreement, given the economical and image benefits the event brings to Valencia.

However in either way, there could be some details that could  change, for example the ones affecting the environment, which was a major controversy before the circuit was built, or other aspects regarding it's organization.

As soon as further news emerge, we will update you.

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20 Feb, 2009 11:17 Report
BMW Sauber F1 (IP Logged)
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Corruption to hit the European GP future?
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20 Feb, 2009 15:11 Report
sessions (IP Logged)
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Date Joined: Apr, 2007
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Posts: 5096
Re: Corruption to hit the European GP future?
Obviously two camps, no pun intended. Not knowing Spanish politics it's difficult to guess which direction this will tend to go. If the opposing party gains control and doesn't want the race it's putting F1 in an awkward place.
With the many places wanting a race, why fight for one that has the potential of having a divided mindset.
Valencia wasn't a race that left all of us with a feeling that we can't wait until next year.

sessions

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20 Feb, 2009 19:45 Report
Raid Phoenix (IP Logged)
New Era, New Sauber
Date Joined: Apr, 2007
Location: France
Posts: 8173
Re: Corruption to hit the European GP future?
Quote:
If the opposing party gains control and doesn't want the race it's putting F1 in an awkward place.

Fortunately PSOE wouldn't remove it at all, not at least till the 7 year contract. The maximun they would try is move it to the permanent track of Cheste.

I know other countries politics are obviously complex for you. However, if there are any news on this, I'll update u and clarify in a way simple enough for you not to get too messed up.

BTW, Interestingly (and not surprising) GrandPrix runned a similar story of this site, but 1 hour later winking smiley

Racing against the machine!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:02:20:19:52:57 by J-Raid.

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