Rapporteurs from the Council of Europe, Valentina Grippo and Elvira Kovács, have issued a statement following their visit to Madrid and Barcelona. They met with the President of the Constitutional Court, Cándido Conde-Pumpido; the President of the Supreme Court and the General Council of the Judiciary, Isabel Perelló; the leader of the PP, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, and other institutional representatives.
In their statement, they warn: «No democracy can afford to let the public debate be hijacked by narratives that undermine confidence in the Supreme Court or the General Council of the Judiciary». The rapporteurs also call for a reform of the Public Prosecutor's Office and the figure of the Attorney General to ensure their independence.
They note that some of the proposed measures, had they been applied, could have helped detect corruption within the political core of Sánchez's government, such as the control of advisors like Koldo García. The rapporteurs do not overlook corruption, urging the government to implement the recommendations to prevent it without delay.
One of the main causes for concern is the «attacks on the judiciary», which could undermine «democratic resilience». The rapporteurs also expressed alarm at the «tense climate» and «political friction» they detected during their visit, which poses a threat to the rule of law.
During their visit, the rapporteurs were unable to meet with Ministers Félix Bolaños and Fernando Grande-Marlaska due to scheduling conflicts. They have now announced a second visit to Spain in the coming months, giving them a second and final chance to meet.
«Political polarization must not be allowed to obstruct respect for the rule of law, nor can it serve as a pretext for eroding trust in democratic institutions,» they added.
