Political Crisis Deepens as Spain’s Attorney General Álvaro García Ortiz Is Inhabilitated for Two Years
Spain’s Attorney General Álvaro García Ortiz has been inhabilitated for two years amid a political storm over judicial independence and government accountability.
- • Attorney General Álvaro García Ortiz was inhabilitated for two years for leaking confidential information.
- • The Supreme Court resisted government pressure, emphasizing judicial independence.
- • Jorge Azcón criticized Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and called for immediate elections.
- • The ruling underscores the separation of powers and raises questions about accountability and potential pardon.
Key details
Spain’s political landscape is shaken by the two-year inhabilitation of Attorney General Álvaro García Ortiz, a ruling that has reignited debates on judicial independence and governmental accountability. The decision, announced on November 20, a landmark date marking fifty years since the death of Spain’s last dictator, is hailed by legal experts as a firm reinforcement of the separation of powers in Spanish democracy. The Supreme Court found García Ortiz responsible for compromising the rule of law by leaking confidential information, including tax details connected to Alberto González Amador, partner of Isabel Díaz Ayuso, the President of Madrid’s Community.
While the government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, faced accusations of attempting to influence the court’s verdict to absolve García Ortiz, the judiciary resisted, underscoring its independence. This government pressure has been widely perceived as an intimidation tactic directed at the judiciary, sparking critical voices within political circles.
Notably, Jorge Azcón, President of Aragón, publicly criticized Sánchez, demanding accountability and immediate elections. Azcón questioned how much more must occur for Sánchez to acknowledge his government’s failures, echoing sentiments by Alberto Núñez Feijóo of the People’s Party, who stated such events would have triggered a resignation in prior democratic contexts.
The controversy also includes allegations against García Ortiz for deleting emails to obscure his misconduct. Although García Ortiz may appeal the ruling, experts doubt the success of such efforts. The potential for a government pardon has been hinted at but could provoke significant public outrage.
This unfolding political drama places judicial accountability at the forefront, provoking a struggle between the government and judiciary that continues to unfold amid calls for transparency and responsibility from opposition leaders. The question remains — who will take responsibility and offer apologies in the wake of this crisis?
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.