Antonio Hernando, the current Secretary of State for Telecommunications in Spain and a member of the PSOE party, experienced a significant financial loss on February 2 when he had to testify as a witness in an investigation concerning political misconduct within his party. Simultaneously, his former firm, the lobbying consultancy Acento, was taken over by French group Havas in a deal that valued the company at around 15 million euros, significantly more than its worth when Hernando co-founded it in 2019 with his friend, former minister José Blanco.

Had Hernando remained in his position as managing director of Acento, he would have secured more than one million euros from selling nearly 10% of his shares on that very day, which underscores the personal stakes involved in his political career choices. His departure in 2021 was influenced by his ambition to engage more deeply in politics, yet it now seems he might have traded his financial security for political aspirations.

The situation reflects the ongoing tensions between private business interests and public service, raising questions about the sacrifices politicians make for their careers and the potential influence of past business connections on political actions. Hernando's case exemplifies a broader narrative within Spanish politics, where former business leaders often transition into significant government roles, posing challenges in transparency and accountability.