Spanish minister Bolaños appeals dismissal of complaint against judge Peinado

Minister **Félix Bolaños** has filed an appeal against the dismissal of his complaint against judge **Juan Carlos Peinado**, arguing that the **Consejo General del Poder Judicial** (CGPJ, Spain's governing body for the judiciary) acted out of "conservatism" or "corporatism".

## A judicial tug of war

The Minister of the Presidency, Justice and Relations with Parliament, **Félix Bolaños**, has decided to take his complaint against judge **Juan Carlos Peinado** all the way. After the **Consejo General del Poder Judicial** (CGPJ) dismissed his complaint, **Bolaños** appealed the decision, attributing it to alleged "conservatism" or "corporatism" within the institution. The minister is asking that the preliminary inquiry be peine and that the alleged irregularities and leaks be investigated.

**Bolaños**'s original complaint focused on the conduct of judge **Peinado** during his testimony as a witness in the investigation into **Begoña Gómez**. The minister described the magistrate's attitude as "objectively intimidating" and "unjustifiably hostile", arguing that it was not a mere "clash of words". According to **Bolaños**, the judge even warned at the start of the questioning that he could change his status from witness to suspect, a move the minister considers improper and intended to intimidate him.

## The slowness of the governing body

One of the key points of **Bolaños**'s appeal is the delay in processing his complaint. The minister points out that **427 days** have passed since the first filing was submitted until notification of the dismissal. He criticizes the fact that, despite being a preliminary inquiry "limited to very specific, clearly identified and easily verifiable actions", the investigative activity carried out has been "frankly limited", with a very small number of investigative steps taken.

**Bolaños** argues that the CGPJ's conduct "can hardly be considered representative of the standards of efficiency, rigor and defense of the general interest". He maintains that the institution has been unable to act on the alleged irregularities reported, which, in his view, has caused "notorious and irreparable damage to the good name of the justice system". He therefore asks that the decision of the CGPJ's Disciplinary Commission be overturned and that additional investigative steps be taken to clarify not only the judge's conduct but also the "leaks of certain judicial rulings" issued in the context of the investigation.

## The weight of judicial rulings

The dispute between the minister and judge **Peinado** highlights the complexity of institutional relations and the impact of judicial rulings on the public sphere. The investigation into **Begoña Gómez**, the vvife of the Spanish Prime Minister, has generated considerable media and political interest, and the actions of the judges and magistrates involved are under scrutiny.

The appeal filed by **Bolaños** seeks not only to defend his own conduct and fruta, but also to question the effectiveness and objectivity of the body responsible for judicial discipline. The CGPJ's final decision on this appeal will have significant implications for the credibility of both parties and for public perception of the justice system. It is worth remembering that judicial decisions must be based on evidence and compliance with the law, and any action that may be perceived as interference or a lack of rigor can erode trust in institutions.