Spain’s chief prosecutor, Álvaro García Ortiz, has resigned following a supreme court ruling that found him guilty of leaking confidential information in a case involving a businessman linked to a prominent rightwing politician. The decision marks an unprecedented moment in Spanish judicial history and delivers a significant blow to Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s coalition government.
García Ortiz, appointed in 2022 by Sánchez, has consistently denied wrongdoing. In a letter addressed to Justice Minister Félix Bolaños, he explained that his resignation was motivated by “profound respect” for judicial rulings, even though he intends to appeal.
“Though my decision stems directly from the ruling, I’m convinced that I’ve faithfully served the institution to which I am honoured to belong, with an unequivocal vocation for public service, a sense of duty and institutional loyalty,” he wrote.
The supreme court last week imposed a two-year ban on García Ortiz from holding his post, fined him €7,300 (£6,428), and ordered him to pay €10,000 in damages to businessman Alberto González Amador.
The case centred on allegations that García Ortiz leaked personal information about González Amador to journalists during an investigation into alleged tax fraud. González Amador is the partner of Isabel Díaz Ayuso, the rightwing populist president of Madrid and one of Sánchez’s fiercest critics.
Although García Ortiz’s departure was widely anticipated, the supreme court has yet to publish its full reasoning behind the verdict. He may still appeal to Spain’s constitutional court and, ultimately, to the European court of human rights in Strasbourg.
Government spokesperson Pilar Alegría told state broadcaster TVE that while the administration respected the court’s decision, it did not agree with it.
She criticised the lack of unanimity among the judges and the notification of the verdict without a full ruling, describing the situation as a worrying precedent that had generated “stupefaction” among the public.
The case has reignited debate over the politicisation of Spain’s judiciary, particularly given the political connections of those involved.
Ayuso has long been a vocal opponent of Sánchez, and the conviction of García Ortiz has been seized upon by critics as evidence of instability within the government.
The controversy comes at a time when Sánchez himself faces mounting pressure over corruption allegations involving members of his family and close allies. Investigations are ongoing into claims against his wife and brother, which Sánchez has dismissed as politically motivated smears. Nevertheless, the prime minister has already been forced to act against senior figures within his party. In June, he ordered the resignation of Santos Cerdán, the socialist party’s organisational secretary and one of his closest confidants, after a supreme court judge found “firm evidence” of his possible involvement in kickbacks on public construction contracts.
Other figures implicated in corruption investigations include former transport minister José Luis Ábalos and one of his aides. These cases are particularly damaging for Sánchez, who came to power pledging to tackle graft and restore public trust in Spain’s institutions.
The resignation of García Ortiz adds further strain to Sánchez’s administration, which has already been navigating political turbulence. The prime minister has defended the prosecutor’s integrity, but the supreme court’s ruling and subsequent resignation have weakened his position.
The opposition has been quick to highlight the case as emblematic of broader failings within the government.
For García Ortiz, the resignation represents both a personal and professional setback. Despite his insistence that he has acted with loyalty and a commitment to public service, the court’s ruling has cast a shadow over his tenure.
His appeal may yet alter the outcome, but for now, his departure underscores the fragility of Spain’s political and judicial landscape.
As Sánchez attempts to steady his government, the case serves as a reminder of the challenges facing Spain’s institutions.
With corruption allegations continuing to surface and questions over judicial independence persisting, the prime minister’s promise to crack down on graft appears increasingly difficult to uphold.
