On 9 September, a Supreme Court judge announced that Attorney General Álvaro García Ortiz will stand trial for allegedly leaking confidential information to the press, what would constitute a breach of official secrecy under Spanish law. This marks the first time in modern Spanish democracy that an Attorney General will face criminal prosecution. The case revolves around the leak of an email sent by the lawyer of businessman Alberto González Amador (partner of Isabel Díaz Ayuso, President of the Community of Madrid and a member of the opposition People’s Party (PP)), to the prosecutor handling his tax fraud case. The email, containing details of a reportedly proposed settlement, was allegedly disclosed to the media by the Attorney General’s office. García Ortiz, who was appointed by the current government, has denied leaking any confidential information and continues to serve in office, with the judge having set bail at EUR 150,000. The outcome of the case remains pending, with the trial scheduled for the first half of November. 

Sources: Radio Televisión Española, El País (1), El País (2) 

On 18 August, a lower court indicted Begoña Gómez, wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, on charges of embezzling public funds in connection with her work at the Complutense University of Madrid. Prosecutors allege she misused public resources to pay her personal assistant for non-academic duties, adding to ongoing investigations into influence peddling dating back to 2024. Prime Minister Sánchez denounced the case as politically motivated ‘lawfare,’ coming after other legal proceedings involving his brother. Sánchez had also previously filed a complaint against the judge that handles the case, alleging judicial misconduct; but this was dismissed by the Madrid High Court. The proceedings against Gómez were initiated by the far-right group Manos Limpias (known for filing corruption-related lawsuits), with backing from the Vox party and the advocacy group Hazte Oír (which typically campaigns against LGBTQIA+ and abortion rights in Spain). The case is ongoing.

Sources: EU Observer, Cadena SER, El País, EuropaPress

On 13 July, a rare wave of anti-migrant violence erupted in Torre Pacheco, a town in the southeastern region of Murcia. The unrest was sparked by the beating of an elderly local man by three young men of North African origin on 9 July. Far-right groups, including some from outside the region, co-opted the incident (which was circulated on social media alongside inflammatory misinformation) to mobilize, and staged violent and racially motivated marches in the town. Over five days, these groups vandalized migrant-owned businesses and intimidated residents in the town’s neighborhoods, home to a large migrant population. Security forces were deployed to contain the violence and prevent direct clashes between agitators and locals. Authorities arrested at least 14 people, including the leader of a far-right group on hate crime charges. The Murcia Prosecutor’s Office also launched an investigation into the regional leader of the far-right Vox party for alleged incitement to hatred. 

Sources: El País (1), El País (2), Cadena Ser, Eldiario.es, British Broadcasting Corporation 

On 17 July, a lower court charged former finance minister Cristobal Montoro, along with 27 others, including high-ranking officials, in a corruption case involving the creation of a criminal network that altered laws to benefit gas companies during Montoro’s latest tenure between 2011 and 2018. Equipo Económico, a tax consulting firm originally founded by Montoro and involved in providing advice to businesses, has been implicated in the scandal, with the investigation looking into whether this firm went beyond legitimate ‘lobbying’ in influencing certain legislative projects to benefit its clients, securing the support of officials in the Ministry and the Tax Agency through kickbacks. Montoro resigned from his party membership in the Popular Party (PP) following the indictment. Current Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced that the government will seek to repeal the fiscal privileges granted to the companies involved in the scandal. The investigation is ongoing.

Sources: Radio Televisión Española, El País, Cadena Ser 

On 13 May, the Council of Ministers approved a draft law to change how judges and prosecutors are selected, sending it to parliament for debate. The government says the proposals aim to modernize the judicial system and would mark the first major reform in 40 years. Currently, candidates must pass a highly competitive national exam known as the oposición, which requires years of unpaid preparation. The reform would introduce alternative paths, such as considering prior professional experience and providing financial support like scholarships to reduce economic barriers to preparation. The proposal would also shift responsibility for criminal investigations from judges to prosecutors. Supporters argue the changes would make these careers more accessible and diverse by lowering financial burdens for aspiring candidates. Critics, however, warn that transferring investigative powers to prosecutors could threaten judicial independence, since prosecutors ultimately report to the executive.

Sources: Spanish Council of Ministers, Cinco Días, El País, Europa Press