Negotiations between the PP and the Spanish Government, mediated by Brussels, to unblock the renewal of the General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ) are becoming increasingly complicated. The planned meeting in Madrid between Commissioner Didier Reynders, Minister of Justice Felix Bolaños, and PP leader Esteban González Pons has been postponed. The reasons for the postponement vary, with the PP claiming it was due to the commissioner’s schedule, while the government remains vague. The delay signals that the positions are far apart, leading to concerns that an agreement may not be reached soon.
The European Commission spokesperson states that discussions are ongoing, and the Commission remains available to collaborate with the parties involved. Both the PP and the Government need more time before meeting with Reynders again, who has emphasized the need for political will in previous meetings. The Commissioner is also in the final running to lead the Council of Europe, adding a time constraint to the negotiations. The situation appears to be at a standstill, with the PP delaying the renewal of the judiciary body for five years and introducing another complicating factor: the amnesty law.
The Government claims to be willing to continue discussions and reach an agreement with the PP as soon as possible regarding the CGPJ renewal. Brussels had given both parties until the end of March to prioritize the renewal of the CGPJ and begin a process to adjust the appointment of judges, following European standards. The lack of renewal of the judiciary body has had severe consequences on the Supreme Court, with a significant number of judges unable to be replaced, leading to a backlog of cases and a strain on the court’s operations.
The postponement of the Madrid meeting casts doubt on the next steps in the negotiations. The PP maintains its proposal to reform the law for selecting CGPJ members, while the Government emphasizes the urgent need for renewal. The Council, composed of 20 members, has been operating with an expired mandate for over five years. The PP advocates for judges to directly elect the 12 judicial members, while the government calls for immediate renewal followed by dialogue on selecting CGPJ members. The standstill in negotiations raises concerns about the consequences for the Spanish judiciary and the rule of law.
