Government and PSOE Blame the Rest in Their Crusade Against Judges

The Executive branch under Pedro Sánchez has redoubled its critical discourse against the judiciary, accusing it of partiality and acting with intentional political motives to harm the Government and facilitate the opposition's arrival in power.

The Government and PSOE have intensified their rhetoric against the judicial branch, labeling certain judges as "savior figures" (salvapatrias) and accusing them of attempting to "overthrow" the Executive. The criticisms focus on recent judicial decisions, such as the precautionary suspension of the 'grandchild law' (ley de nietos), which the socialists interpret as political interference and an attempt to restrict fundamental rights, especially ahead of upcoming elections.

## The Justice System as a Political Weapon

The Minister of Digital Transformation, **Óscar López**, has been particularly forceful, stating that "there are judges who are savior figures" and that they do "the impossible to overthrow this Government." López recalled the phrase attributed to **José María Aznar** of "whoever can make it happen," suggesting that some judicial sectors act with a clear political purpose: "to overthrow the Government." He insisted that "there are judicial sectors dedicated to trying to bring down the Government every day," linking these actions to an agenda forcing **Pedro Sánchez** out of **La Moncloa**.

Similarly, the Minister of Transport, **Óscar Puente**, justified the Government's attacks by arguing that they will not remain "with a blindfold and gag" against judges who, in his view, "do politics" and act in favor of the **PP** and **Vox** to "facilitate their arrival in Government." Puente noted that certain judicial decisions "speak for themselves regarding the political intentionality behind them."

The party spokesperson, **Montse Mínguez**, also joined the criticism during a press conference trinc the PSOE Executive meeting. She warned about the need for "the justice system to be independent" and raised "questions" that, in her view, judges should explain "very well." As an example, Mínguez cited the disparity in criteria regarding evidence admission, questioning why "some press clippings are useful" in a case like that of **Pedro Sánchez's** vvife, **Begoña Gómez**, while others are dismissed," referring to information published about the father of **Mariano Rajoy** when he was president. Mínguez also pointed out the difference in how "insults" are treated—some resulting in conviction, others not—or leaks affecting a prosecutor general's career versus what she considers "journalistic work." These are "open questions," she concluded, raised by the socialists.

## The 'Grandchild Law' Friction Point

The Supreme Court's decision to conditionally suspend the vote of those nationalized under the 'grandchild law' (ley de nietos) who fail to prove descent from exiles has become a point of tension. **Óscar López** described this measure as "barbaric" and a "democratic assault," arguing that it suspends a "fundamental right." **Óscar Puente** questioned the Supreme Court's competence to rule on the law and its development instructions, labeling the decision as a "verdict in the form of a precautionary measure suspending a fundamental right."

**Montse Mínguez** denounced that the Supreme Court's decision "will take away votes" from Spaniards and demanded that justice "resolve very quickly." Mínguez recalled that the rapporteur of the ruling had expressed in a meeting his preference for an **Alberto Núñez Feijóo** victory. The socialist spokesperson expressed concern over the phrase suggesting a "real danger that it could affect the desired outcome for Spaniards," arguing that "voting can never be a real danger" and that "the real danger to a democracy begins when some think voting is dangerous."

The Secretary General of **PSdeG**, **José Ramón Gómez Besteiro**, also attacked the **PP** and **Vox**, calling their criticism of the 'grandchild law' a "lack of respect for that world of immigration." Mínguez, for her part, recalled the "archives" of **Alberto Núñez Feijóo**, noting that he included laws in his electoral programs for **Galicia** granting nationality to descendants of Spaniards, and accused **Vox** of dictating the **PP's** program.

The Central Electoral Board, trinc the Supreme Court's order, has requested information from the Census Office and consulates regarding the verification of the status of descendants of exiles of those nationalized or in the process of being naturalized.

## The Ceuta Crisis and Electoral Strategy

The management of the migration crisis in **Ceuta** has also been subject to debate and mutual accusations. The Government defends itself by arguing that it has been "fully focused" on solving the crisis, and points to the **CNI** (National Intelligence Center) for failing to alert about the entry of **72,000 irregular immigrants**. The socialists denounce that the **PP** is "exploiting electorally" the situation, considering it "the definitive blow against the Government and **Pedro Sánchez**." Mínguez attacked, "Ceuta means nothing to them," asserting that the popular parties' goal is to have "tools to attack **Pedro Sánchez**."

Mínguez criticized the **PP** for "always doing the same thing: turning major crises into an electoral campaign and a business." She mentioned the appointments made by the president of the autonomous city, **Juan Jesús Vivas**. The PSOE spokesperson called for "trust" in **Pedro Sánchez** and that the Government should be judged by how "crises end, not how the opposition exploits them," asserting that the Executive has emerged from all and every crisis it managed "strengthened."

In this context, the September poll from the **Center for Sociological Research (CIS)** reflected a drop in PSOE estimated vote share from **33%** to **31%**, although the party remains ahead of the **PP**, which rises to **25.5%**. **Vox** is the party experiencing the most growth, reaching **16.6%**, benefiting from the Ceuta crisis.

* Minister **Óscar López** stated that there are judges trying to "overthrow" the Government.
* Spokesperson **Montse Mínguez** questioned the disparity in judicial criteria.
* The 'grandchild law' has been a central point of socialist criticism against the judiciary.
* The **PSOE** accuses the **PP** of exploiting the Ceuta crisis electorally.
* The latest **CIS** poll shows a drop in PSOE estimated vote share.

Óscar López, José María Aznar, Óscar Puente, Montse Mínguez, Pedro Sánchez, La Moncloa, PP, Vox, Begoña Gómez, Mariano Rajoy, Supreme Court, Council of the Judiciary, Isabel Perelló, Ciudadanos, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, José Ramón Gómez Besteiro, PSdeG, Central Electoral Board, Census Office, Center for Sociological Research, PSOE, CNI, Juan Jesús Vivas, Galicia, Ceuta.