Isabel Díaz Ayuso Celebrates Supreme Court Ruling As Vindication of Justice System

Isabel Díaz Ayuso, president of the Madrid region, has publicly celebrated the Supreme Court ruling that removed Álvaro García Ortiz from his position as fiscal general del Estado, marking a historic first in Spain as Ortiz becomes the first fiscal general to be judged and convicted. He faces two years of disqualification for revealing secrets linked to Alberto González Amador, who is closely connected to Ayuso.

Ayuso framed the ruling as evidence that the justice system functions properly, portraying the investigation into her partner as a consequence of a dictatorial past. She notably drew a controversial historical parallel by comparing this judicial development to the death of Franco, tapping into Spain's historical political narrative and signaling a break with the past ahead of the significant anniversary of Franco's death on 20N.

This judicial move has been interpreted as a success of the right and extreme right’s judicial efforts, with Ayuso’s reaction reflecting euphoria and jubilation. However, the ruling has sparked criticism from multiple political leaders, such as Unai Sordo of CCOO and Ione Belarra of Podemos. They warn that the decision signals a growing politicization of the judiciary, posing a serious threat to democratic principles and judicial independence.

Meanwhile, the broader political context includes King Felipe VI commemorating the 50th anniversary of Juan Carlos I's coronation, emphasizing the need for mutual respect during Spain’s transition to democracy—a moment shadowed by the absence of Juan Carlos I himself.

Ayuso’s reaction underscores the deep political polarization surrounding the issue, juxtaposing celebrations by the political right with concerns from left-wing figures about the implications for Spain’s democracy and judicial system.