Spain’s government under fire for blurring lines between executive and judiciary

Just days into its mandate, Spain’s new government has come into conflict with several judges on the country’s judicial watchdog, several of whom voted on Thursday against the controversial appointment of a former justice minister as prosecutor general.

The nomination of Dolores Delgado, previously the justice minister under Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, passed by 12 votes to seven, despite sparking accusations of the politicization of the judiciary.

According to the General Council of the Judiciary the seven dissenting members harbored concerns that Delgado’s appointment could “create the appearance of a link with the executive branch that does not contribute to the perception of the judiciary’s independence.”

The council, which is composed of judges nominated by Sanchez’s Socialists and the conservative People’s Party, advises on judicial appointments, though Thursday’s vote was non-binding.

Delgado must now appear before the parliamentary justice committee before her appointment is voted on by the Cabinet.

Spain’s judicial system has been in the spotlight in recent years, most recently in October after the sentencing of nine Catalan separatist leaders to prison terms of up to 13 years.

Read more via Reuters