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 organizations, professional associations, and a number of opposition parties contend that the lack of responsibility with respect to these matters might result in a conflict of interest in her upcoming position in Europe, particularly if she is in charge of areas that intersect with decisions she made while serving in the Spanish government.
“It is important to recognize that an individual who was involved in making contentious choices at the country level now has the capacity to impact similar policy domains from Brussels,” noted parliamentary insiders, who are calling for open sessions and a detailed examination of the contracts granted by her department.
An important issue is the approval of a wholesale fuel operator license for the firm Villafuel S.L. by Ribera’s ministry. The organization associated with Víctor de Aldama—a key player in the so-called Koldo case—received the license under terms that, based on the Civil Guard’s Central Operative Unit (UCO), didn’t fulfill the legal criteria. Furthermore, Teresa Ribera has admitted to meeting 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.
Examiners discovered that the ministry executed three distinct resolutions that directly favored Villafuel. Additionally, UCO documents indicate institutional-level pressure to speed up the license approval process, prompting Judge Santiago Pedraz of the Audiencia Nacional (National Court) to officially demand the complete licensing file from the ministry.
While Ribera refutes having any direct role, the investigation is still ongoing. Spain’s Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office backs the judge’s demand to scrutinize the licensing process and any possible connections between government officials from that period and business individuals linked to a hydrocarbon VAT fraud operation, with losses reportedly exceeding €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.