Mallorca prosecutors file complaint over Pedro Bestard’s use of council cars

Balearic prosecutors have filed a criminal complaint against Pedro Bestard, Vox’s Mallorca leader and the island council’s second vice-president, over alleged misuse of official cars. The decision became public on Sunday 1 November.

The case follows a complaint submitted by the council’s Socialist group on 2 July. The council is governed by the PP in coalition with Vox. Bestard has denied using the vehicles for private purposes and told the council’s Transparency Commission that his journeys were connected to his institutional duties.

The prosecutor has asked for the case to be assigned to an investigating court in Palma. The filing seeks a judicial investigation; it does not establish that the alleged offences have been committed.

What the internal reports found

Council president Llorenç Galmés, of the Partido Popular, ordered technical reports after the controversy became public in May. The reports found that Bestard had three official vehicles at his exclusive disposal without documented authorisation for that arrangement.

They described his conduct as inappropriate but said they could not categorically determine that he had misused the vehicles. The council subsequently decided against taking action and closed its internal case, opting instead to draw up instructions governing the use of official cars.

El Mundo reports that an assessment dated 17 June also found Bestard had ordered vehicle markings removed or not fitted. The analysis did not identify legal irregularities, citing the absence of explicit rules on the use and marking of the cars.

Galmés said he did not share Bestard’s approach but would follow the technical officials’ assessment rather than act outside those findings.

Journeys and expenses under scrutiny

The Socialists allege repeated private use of public vehicles, sometimes exclusively and without authorisation. They say the journeys generated fuel and other costs for the council, and have asked prosecutors to investigate possible offences including misappropriation of public funds and document forgery.

Their request sought vehicle files, travel logs, fuel consumption, maintenance invoices and location data. They also asked for statements from technical and administrative officials, including the council’s secretary general and financial controller.

According to an internal document reported by elDiario.es, at least 20 journeys recorded between May 2025 and April 2026 did not appear in Bestard’s public diary. The report compared vehicle-use and refuelling records with his published agenda.

It covered journeys to sporting events and hunting-related meetings, as well as travel to Madrid and Menorca. elDiario.es also reports a documented €430 expense for replacing lost keys to one of the vehicles.

Bestard’s explanation and the political response

Appearing before the Transparency Commission on 7 May, Bestard denied private use. He said taking a car home could be practical when he finished work late or had several engagements, and maintained that his travel served his council responsibilities.

He acknowledged attending horse races and meetings absent from his public agenda, according to elDiario.es. He also said he had not kept a detailed record of some journeys, particularly at weekends.

Socialist spokeswoman Catalina Cladera has called for his immediate dismissal. She argues that Galmés should already have removed him and has warned of political consequences if he remains in office.