The appointment of Teresa Ribera as Vice President of the European Commission has sparked criticism and calls for an independent audit of her performance as Spain’s Minister for the Ecological Transition under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
During her tenure, Ribera led key decisions in the areas of energy, environmental policy, and sustainability—some of which have faced intense scrutiny due to their impact on energy prices, lack of transparency in renewable energy concessions, and her ministry’s dealings with large corporate stakeholders.
Civil society groups, professional organizations, and several opposition parties argue that the absence of accountability regarding these issues could lead to a conflict of interest in her new European role, especially if she oversees areas that overlap with decisions made during her time in the Spanish government.
“It cannot be overlooked that someone who made controversial decisions at the national level is now in a position to influence the same policy areas from Brussels,” stated parliamentary sources, who are demanding public hearings and a thorough review of contracts awarded under her ministry.
A key concern involves the authorization of a wholesale fuel operator license to the company Villafuel S.L. by Ribera’s ministry. The company, linked to Víctor de Aldama—a central figure in the so-called Koldo case—was granted the license under conditions that, according to the Civil Guard’s Central Operative Unit (UCO), failed to meet the legal requirements. And Teresa Ribera has acknowledged that she met with him.
The license was processed in just three days, despite the company having received three prior rejections. Villafuel’s share capital was only €15,000—well below the standard threshold for such licenses—and its operational structure showed serious documentation inconsistencies.
Investigators found that the ministry signed three separate resolutions that directly benefited Villafuel. Furthermore, UCO reports point to institutional-level pressure to expedite the license approval, which led Judge Santiago Pedraz of the Audiencia Nacional (National Court) to formally request the full licensing dossier from the ministry.
Despite Ribera’s denial of any direct involvement, the case remains open. Spain’s Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office supports the judge’s request to examine how the license was processed, as well as any potential links between then-government officials and business figures implicated in a hydrocarbon VAT fraud scheme estimated to have defrauded more than €180 million.
The Spanish authorities canceled Villafuel’s permit in February 2025, after verifying its participation in illegal operations. The situation is evolving, carrying both political and administrative consequences, just as Ribera steps into a significant role at the European Commission.
