The judicial proceeding between the mayor of Algeciras (Cádiz) and Mixed Group Senator, José Ignacio Landaluce, and the former First Vice President of the Government and Secretary General of PSOE-A, María Jesús Montero, has been suspended. The hearing, scheduled for this Thursday, June 4, could not take place as the socialist leader was not properly notified of the date and location.
This suspension prevents, for the moment, advancing the decision on whether Landaluce will file a lawsuit against Montero for alleged slander and libel. The prior conciliation request is a necessary step before formalizing the lawsuit.
The origin of the dispute dates back to statements made by Montero on January 13 at a PSOE event. According to Landaluce's lawyer, the socialist falsely accused him of having been "convicted, reported, and investigated for a crime of gender violence."
In the lawsuit, the former Minister of Finance is demanded a public retraction, cessation of her statements, and payment of 200,000 euros in compensation.
The lawyer also pointed out that the lawsuit covers subsequent statements by Montero where, according to him, she "again referred to that complaint, deliberately concealing that it was filed by PSOE colleagues, reproducing publications by 'Alvise' Pérez" and that it had already been dismissed by the Supreme Court Prosecutor's Office on January 9.
The judicial summons, issued by Plaza Número 56 of the Civil Section of the Court of First Instance of Madrid, was made on April 15. For these types of conciliation hearings, personal attendance of the parties is not mandatory, with the presence of their lawyers or procurators being sufficient.
