Spain dismissed its ambassador to Belgium for inadequate representation, absenteeism and a poor morale at the mission.
Ambassador Ignacio Jesus Matellanes Martinez has been relieved of his duties for making no contact with the Belgian government during his appointment in March 2012 and abusing authority “through fear, threat and confrontation,” Spanish newspaper El País reported on Saturday.
“The Embassy of Spain in Brussels does not seem to fulfill the essential functions that are specific to a diplomatic representation,” said a Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ report, adding that “the situation is attributable to the management of the head of mission, i.e. the ambassador Matellanes.”
The report, conducted between March 9-11, stresses that the daily management of the embassy is “paralyzed by absenteeism and the head of mission’s negative attitude, the denial of any role for diplomatic personnel and a total absence of internal coordination.”
Of the embassy’s 20 staff, a chauffeur, a secretary and two diplomats took time off with depression. The inspection report states that “the prevailing social climate in the Embassy is one of distrust, miscommunication and tension by the exercise of authority by the head of mission through fear, threat and confrontation, which has been reflected in an unusually high level of sick leave for depression.”
The acting ambassador in Belgium had been denounced by the Independent Union Foreign Service, who urged Matellanes to resign immediately and called for an inquiry to check the veracity of the serious allegations.
Matellanes replacement has been suspended awaiting the constitution of a new government in Spain. Previously he was ambassador to Nicaragua as well as consul in Brussels and Naples.
The dismissal was approved by the Council of Ministers on Friday and published Saturday in the Spanish Government official website.
This story has been updated to make minor edits.