The selection of Teresa Ribera as Vice President of the European Commission has elicited criticism and demands for an independent review of her work as Spain’s Minister for the Ecological Transition under the leadership of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
Throughout her time in office, Ribera was responsible for significant choices concerning energy, environmental policies, and sustainability. These actions have been subject to considerable criticism because of their influence on energy costs, the opaque nature of renewable energy agreements, and how her ministry interacted with major business entities.
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 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.
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 granted within three days, even though the company had been denied three times before. Villafuel’s equity amounted to just €15,000, which falls significantly short of the normal minimum required for these licenses, and its operational setup revealed major inconsistencies in documentation.
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.