Rajoy’s Stammering Graft Response Weakens Pitch to Spaniards

  • Acting Prime Minister defends record on managing economy
  • Televised debate gives voters chance to compare candidates

Mariano Rajoy, Spain's acting prime minister

Photographer: Angel Navarrete/Bloomberg
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He knew it was coming, but still there was nothing he could do about it.

When the Spanish Socialist candidate Pedro Sanchez attacked Acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy with the corruption allegations that have engulfed his party in a televised debate on Monday night, Rajoy froze. In the glare of the studio lights, the prime minister’s mouth moved, but no words came out for three, four, five seconds.