Ripoll mayor hires daughter as local police officer amid nepotism accusations

The mayor of Ripoll, Spain, Sílvia Orriols, is facing scrutiny after her eldest daughter, Guinadell Orriols, was hired as an interim local police officer on July 17. The position is in the same municipality where Orriols serves as mayor, leading to accusations of nepotism.

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I have not appointed anyone by favoritism. Just as I cannot benefit her with my position, I cannot prevent her from fulfilling her dream.

While the hiring followed a direct selection process permitted by law, concerns have been raised because Orriols, the leader of the far-right party Aliança Catalana, reportedly influenced crucial elements of the selection, including the appointment of the tribunal members. The position was advertised with urgency, and the results have not yet been publicly released.

Orriols has defended her decision, asserting that she did not appoint her daughter through favoritism. She stated, "I cannot benefit her with my position, nor can I prevent her from fulfilling her dream." The mayor also claimed that her daughter achieved the highest scores in all the tests and that she abstained from participating in any part of the selection process. "From the beginning, when she told me she would apply, I knew the risk we were running," Orriols admitted, addressing rumors of nepotism.

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From the beginning, when she told me she would apply, I knew the risk we were running.

The urgency of the hiring process, initiated on June 11, allowed for direct selection, simplifying the procedure. The justification cited was a "critical operational situation" affecting the essential public security service. However, critics point out that the mayor, despite claiming abstention, signed a decree on June 30, after the application deadline, which resolved key aspects of the process. This decree also acknowledged her "superior command" of the local police. The mayor appointed a sergeant and two corporals to the tribunal and set the conditions for the tests and their evaluation.

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I have abstained from participating in any matter of the process.