Spanish minister Óscar López accuses judges of misconduct without naming anyone
Minister Óscar López claims some judges commit judicial misconduct but refuses to name them. We look at the legal and political fallout of his remarks.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Óscar López accuses judges of misconduct without naming anyone: bravado or a crime?
At a public event surrounded by controversy, minister Óscar López dropped a line that hit a raw nerve in Spain's judiciary: "There are judges who commit misconduct. I didn't say all of them. And if it isn't them, it's someone in their circle." The remark, made in support of García-Ortiz, who was also present, has unleashed a political and legal storm.
The reactions: "If he knows, he should report it; if not, it's slander"
López's statement has been met with scepticism. Several analysts point out that if the minister knows of specific cases of judicial misconduct, he is obliged to report them; otherwise he could be guilty of covering up a crime or, if there is no evidence, of slander. "His duty is to report it; if he doesn't, he's an accomplice," is how some voices sum it up. The lack of names has been the main target of criticism: without specifics, the accusation is nothing more than a thrown weapon.
The background: López's past in the PSOE primaries
This is not the first time Óscar López has been caught up in controversy. Those who trinc his career recall his role in the 2017 primaries against Pedro Sánchez, when he backed another candidate. Back then, he was already linked to murky manoeuvres. Now, his words against the Supreme Court add fuel to an already tense relationship between the Government and the judiciary.
The most optimistic reading assumes the controversy will blow over; the pessimistic one, that it could cost him a lawsuit. What is certain is that, two days after the remarks, the duty court has still not received any complaint. Judicial silence, for now, is the only response.
Related discussions in the forum
At a public event surrounded by controversy, minister Óscar López dropped a line that hit a raw nerve in Spain's judiciary: "There are judges who commit misconduct. I didn't say all of them. And if it isn't them, it's someone in their circle." The remark, made in support of García-Ortiz, who was also present, has unleashed a political and legal storm.
The reactions: "If he knows, he should report it; if not, it's slander"
López's statement has been met with scepticism. Several analysts point out that if the minister knows of specific cases of judicial misconduct, he is obliged to report them; otherwise he could be guilty of covering up a crime or, if there is no evidence, of slander. "His duty is to report it; if he doesn't, he's an accomplice," is how some voices sum it up. The lack of names has been the main target of criticism: without specifics, the accusation is nothing more than a thrown weapon.
The background: López's past in the PSOE primaries
This is not the first time Óscar López has been caught up in controversy. Those who trinc his career recall his role in the 2017 primaries against Pedro Sánchez, when he backed another candidate. Back then, he was already linked to murky manoeuvres. Now, his words against the Supreme Court add fuel to an already tense relationship between the Government and the judiciary.
The most optimistic reading assumes the controversy will blow over; the pessimistic one, that it could cost him a lawsuit. What is certain is that, two days after the remarks, the duty court has still not received any complaint. Judicial silence, for now, is the only response.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (19 replies).
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