Minister of Presidency and Justice, Félix Bolaños, walked a diplomatic tightrope on Wednesday to avoid offending either the judges of the Supreme Court or the independentist groups on whose support the Government depends. During a Senate appearance, Bolaños called for “respect” for the magistrates of the high court in response to criticism of the judiciary from representatives of ERC and Junts. Senators Joan Josep Queralt, of Esquerra, and Joan Baptista Bagué, of Junts, asserted their right to question the actions of the judiciary in exercising freedom of expression. Bolaños acknowledged that criticism of judicial decisions is legitimate, but insisted that it should be made “with respect and with arguments”. He lamented that this had not always been the case.
The independentist senators took advantage of Bolaños’ presence at the Justice Commission to criticize the Supreme Court. Their main point of contention was the decision of the Criminal Chamber, upheld this week, to exclude embezzlement offenses from the application of the amnesty. Bagué, of Junts, argued that until now, the main beneficiaries of the pardon measures have been police officers. He questioned who oversees the judges who refuse to apply a law passed by Parliament. Queralt, of ERC, focused on a comment in the latest resolution of the Criminal Chamber, which suggests that it will go to the European court if the Constitutional Court amends its decisions. Bolaños defended these actions as part of a normal state of law and emphasized the importance of respecting Supreme Court members.
Bagué and Queralt pushed back against Bolaños’ defense. Bagué questioned whether lawmakers could not criticize the frivolity of the Supreme Court. Queralt pointed out that he had not said anything more serious than what Judge Ana Ferrer had expressed in her dissenting opinion against the Criminal Chamber’s decision. Bolaños agreed that judicial decisions can be criticized, as long as respect is maintained for those who make them. The Minister’s appeals to lessen attacks on the Supreme Court sparked protests from the PP benches, with accusations of harassment against judges and comparisons to a dictatorial and totalitarian regime.
In response to the PP’s criticism of the Government’s agreements with the independentists, Bolaños cited polling data suggesting a decline in separatist sentiments in Catalonia. He contrasted this with what happened under Popular Party governments, which he described as “a hatchery of independentists”. This choice of words provoked further protests from the PP, while Bagué, with a smirk, muttered under his breath: “We are chickens!”. Despite the contentious exchanges, Bolaños remained firm in his defense of the Government’s approach and continued to stress the importance of maintaining a respectful dialogue concerning judicial decisions and political agreements.
The heated debate in the Senate reflected the ongoing tensions between the Government, the judiciary, and the independentist movement in Catalonia. Bolaños’ efforts to strike a balance between recognizing legitimate criticisms of the judiciary and defending the Government’s actions underlined the complexities of navigating political alliances and legal disputes. The exchange also highlighted the challenges of upholding the rule of law while addressing the divergent interests and perspectives of different political factions. As the political landscape continues to evolve, finding common ground and fostering constructive dialogue will be essential to addressing the underlying issues and moving towards a more cohesive and inclusive society.
