Political tensions erupt at the event kicking off the judicial process Isabel Perelló Álvaro García Ortiz

The opening of this year's judicial year was marred by the ongoing political battle in Spain. Everyone present maintained their composure. The King smiled discreetly; the Minister of Justice, Félix Bolaños, sought to ensure the day was completely normal; and the invited judges and prosecutors, primarily from the Supreme Court, acted with the institutionality that the event demands and deserves.

Disqualifications of justice are inappropriate for a state governed by the rule of law.

Although there was no explicit bloodshed, the tension was palpable. Since the Supreme Court's Criminal Division confirmed the indictment of the Attorney General, Álvaro García Ortiz, in July for the alleged crime of revealing secrets, the highest levels of the judiciary have been dreading yesterday: the highest representative of the Prosecutor's Office giving a speech before the King, the president of the Supreme Court, and the judges who have prosecuted him and who will prosecute him. This scenario generated great discomfort. Opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo attacked again yesterday, after skipping the event due to García Ortiz's presence. The Attorney General was aware of this, but despite this, he has maintained his position of continuing to lead the Prosecutor's Office, with the obligations and powers that entails, even though he will be sitting in the dock in a few months.

"Reforms must be developed through institutional dialogue and with the Council."

García Ortiz knew what his presence yesterday would provoke in the Supreme Court and did not want to ignore it. Therefore, he began his speech by acknowledging that he is "fully aware of the unique circumstances" of his intervention as a result of his "procedural situation." Before proceeding to read the details from the Prosecutor's report, García wanted to address the controversy generated by his presence at the event before the King and the entire judiciary. Specifically, the judge presiding over his case, Ángel Hurtado, did not attend the event, although those who will likely be trying him did.

"It is not the duty of the Judiciary to enter into controversy or criticism of individuals."

The polarization within the political world was equally felt by those present. Some considered it a "shame" that the Attorney General spoke out about his legal situation before the King and the judges who must judge him, while others praised him for his courage and for defending the institution. These same people were the ones who, at the end of his speech, applauded him as a show of support for his judicial and political ordeal, breaking the protocol of the event.

If I am here as Attorney General of the State, it is because I believe in justice."

“If I'm here as Attorney General, it's because I believe in justice and the institutions that comprise it. I believe in the rule of law, in the independence of the judiciary, in the principles of legality and impartiality. And, of course, also in the truth,” he declared at the beginning of his speech. Prosecutor's sources acknowledge that yesterday was a tense day for García Ortiz, despite the support he received from the government, and he took the opportunity to send the message that he is not the “submissive caricature of power that some try to project,” nor does he depend on it, but rather acts autonomously. These sources indicate that the Attorney General's number one has considered resigning for some time, but that he hasn't done so because he believes that by remaining, he is defending the Attorney General's Office and the truth.

"The Prosecutor's Office is not the subservient caricature of power that some try to project."

After the applause for García, it was the turn of the president of the Supreme Court and the General Council of the Judiciary, Isabel Perelló, who in her speech made an effort to defend the institutionality lost in other areas: "Society does not deserve for public authorities to engage in disqualifications or mutual recriminations, but rather for institutions to function normally and act in the service of citizens, and with respect and loyalty to one another. And so will the judiciary," she said. These words follow the controversial remarks by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez this week regarding the political use of justice by some judges, a statement endorsed by several members of the government, including Bolaños, who was present. "The insistent criticisms of justice coming from public authorities are totally inappropriate and unacceptable," the judge retorted midway through her speech.

“I believe in the rule of law (...) And, of course, also in the truth.”

Although Perelló warned of the risk of these disqualifications, he also criticized the judiciary's response to them. "It is not appropriate to enter into polemics or criticize individuals or institutions, as this is not our role. Every public official is responsible for their actions," he emphasized. This statement is a message to the CGPJ itself, urging its members not to use the institution for political purposes, as happened with the previous Council.

The Attorney General experienced the opening of the judicial year with tension due to his "procedural situation."

Much of his speech was dedicated to defending judges from the attacks they are subjected to and defending judicial independence. His words were well received by those present, who had expected precisely that. Both progressive and conservative representatives supported his speech, as did the Supreme Court justices. But not everyone agreed. Ministerial sources disapproved of the excessive criticism of the political debate that arose. However, what was most resentful was the criticism of the justice reform promoted by Bolaños, which seeks to regularize 1,000 substitute judges and led to a strike by judges and prosecutors in July. "The necessary increase in the number of judges cannot be done at the expense of the quality of training required by the judicial function," he concluded.

Isabel Perelló's speech was widely applauded by the judiciary.