Rule of Law concerns mount in Spain

The European Parliament’s Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group (DRFMG) will conduct a fact-finding mission to Spain to assess first-hand the state of democratic standards in the country. The delegation will visit Madrid on 16 and 17 February, focusing on controversies involving the judiciary and the Attorney General’s Office. They will evaluate recent developments, listen to stakeholders, and contribute to strengthening public trust in democratic institutions.

“We are concerned about signs of rule of law backsliding in a number of Member States, including Slovakia, Hungary, Malta and also Spain. Whenever checks and balances are weakened, judicial independence is questioned, or institutional safeguards are politicised, it is our collective responsibility to address these issues and ensure such trends are corrected. We therefore want to send a clear message of responsibility and engagement,” said Spanish MEP Javier Zarzalejos, EPP member and Chair of the LIBE Committee, who is leading the delegation.

During the visit, the delegation will meet with a broad range of institutional and societal actors, including judicial associations, representatives of the public broadcaster, the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Court, the General Council of the Judiciary, and the Office of the Prosecutor General, as well as other relevant stakeholders, to gather diverse, direct, and well-founded information.

“The separation of powers, judicial independence, and respect for the constitutional order are non-negotiable foundations of our democratic systems. The European Union is a Union based on the rule of law, and all Member States share the responsibility to uphold and strengthen these principles,” MEP Zarzalejos added.