🚨The government is using a lot of "this is what Europe demands" to justify its legislative reforms. Do you know what Europe really demands? An independent FGE (General Assembly of the Spanish Government), a change in the system for electing the CGPJ (General Council of the Judiciary), a fight against corruption... And it's not being fulfilled. 🧵⤵️
1/ I analyze the European Commission's Report on the Rule of Law in Spain in 2024. Criticisms of the General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ), the lack of transparency in institutional publicity, the privileges... But, for whatever reason, there's no point in discussing or changing this. For whatever reason.
2/ Regarding attacks on judges from political sources: That public confidence in the judiciary is essential and is undermined by statements (attacks) from the legislative and executive branches. And that they should preserve and foster confidence in institutions. Not fulfilled.
3/ Regarding the CGPJ election system: That, once renewed (divided between the government and the opposition), the reform of the election system should be initiated immediately so that judges could participate in the election of CGPJ members. Not fulfilled.
4/ Regarding the relationship between the Prosecutor's Office, the FGE (General Executive Branch), and the Government: the Ministry of Justice committed to regulating communications between the Prosecutor's Office and the Government within six months, but this has not been fulfilled. The mandate of the FGE (General Executive Branch) should be dissociated (separated) from the Government. This has not been fulfilled.
5/ Regarding the number of judges and magistrates: In Spain, the ratio of judges to prosecutors per inhabitant is one of the lowest in the EU and will only get worse in the coming years. This government has not only failed to increase judicial posts, but has actually reduced them. This is a failure.
6/ On corruption: The government is required to approve a corruption prevention strategy and has yet to do anything. The limited number of judges and prosecutors (Point 5) hinders the investigation and prosecution of corruption. Not met.
7/ Regarding party financing and institutional advertising to the media: That the financing of political parties has a high risk of corruption and that institutional advertising is not transparent (in order to avoid partisan purposes). Not complied with.
8/ On the abuse of the "urgent procedure" for passing laws: this method is abused (it involves less oversight, less debate, and no need for many prior reports or impact assessments), and non-urgent matters are slipped into laws. Unfulfilled.
9/ And to keep things short: concern about the Amnesty Law and how it was passed; concern about the special jurisdictions; concern about revolving doors and lobbies; the lack of information about which media outlets receive advertising money from the State...
10/ Here's what Europe (the European Commission) is really demanding, and it's not being done. It's false that Europe is asking for a process of stabilizing substitute judges, as projected, neither the barbarities of the Efficiency Law nor anything else. They're using Europe as an excuse, but they're lying.
11/ They're lying, and I'm not going to shut up. I've just done the work that any newspaper or media outlet should have done. Every time Minister Bolaños, Puente, or anyone else talks about "what Europe wants," remind them of this thread. Don't let them fool you anymore. Howl.