The Spanish government chooses Peramato as the new attorney general amid controversy

MadridTeresa Peramato will be the new Attorney General of Spain. The name of this veteran prosecutor specializing in gender violence has emerged amidst the controversy surrounding the reasons that led the Spanish government to replace Álvaro García Ortiz: a Supreme Court conviction for revealing secrets. The Council of Ministers on Tuesday initiated the formal appointment process, drawing criticism from the right wing regarding the methods used, though conservatives have not dismissed the profile of a professional considered highly prestigious. At a press conference in the Moncloa Palace, Bolaños highlighted Peramato's "feminist commitment" and "vocation for public service," as well as her "extraordinary legal training." He also once again praised her predecessor, whose departure is being met with reluctance. The appointment of her successor will not be immediate, and the Spanish government intends for García Ortiz to remain in his post until the appointment is finalized. Sources within the Spanish government are confident that the timelines for both processes will coincide because, however much the Supreme Court may notify the ruling that disqualifies her for two years earlier, "it will not be immediately enforceable."

The next step is for the General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ) to issue a mandatory, but non-binding, report on the candidate's suitability. The governing body of the judiciary has already called a meeting for this Wednesday at noon to issue its decision. Alberto Núñez Feijóo demanded this Monday, among other procedural changes, that this report become binding and, if unfavorable, overturn the proposal. The PP leader raised this issue with the precedent of García Ortiz in mind. In 2023, a CGPJ with a conservative majority rejected, for the first time, endorsing the candidacy proposed by the Spanish government, which nevertheless went ahead. This time, despite the tense atmosphere surrounding the General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ) meeting, a repeat of the exceptional setback of three years ago is not expected. Subsequently, and before her final appointment as the new Attorney General, Peramato will appear before the Justice Committee of Congress, an event anticipated for this December. Once she passes these formalities, the Council of Ministers will submit the nomination proposal to the King, who must then sign it for it to become official. Bolaños emphasized that the Spanish government "scrupulously complies with the law" in this procedure and criticized Feijóo for "inventing requirements." According to Bolaños, the People's Party's (PP) reaction to Peramato's selection has been "confused" and "erratic." The PP has chosen to focus on the context of the election rather than on the candidate herself. This, according to the Moncloa Palace, demonstrates that its candidate has an "impeccable track record." In fact, Jaime de los Santos, the Popular Party's deputy secretary for education and equality, even celebrated the Spanish government's choice of "a woman who specializes in defending women's rights." "We received this appointment with caution because the important thing is to know if [Pedro] Sánchez still believes, despite the conviction of the Attorney General, that the Public Prosecutor's Office is his office, and if he will continue to use it politically," stressed the PP's number two, Miguel Tellado, after an event in Madrid. The PP's spokesperson in Congress, Ester Muñoz, cast doubt on the appointment, arguing that it represents "more of the same" and placing the Moncloa Palace in the spotlight: "If the president [Pedro Sánchez] asks this new Attorney General to commit a crime, will she do it?" she asked.

The left calls for a stand.

To the left of the PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers' Party) the election has been welcomed, although, at the same time, Sumar and Podemos have pressured the Socialists. Yolanda Díaz, seated at the same table as Bolaños in the Moncloa press room, insisted, as she did on Monday, on urging citizens to "mobilize" in defense of democracy and against the decision of the five Supreme Court justices who convicted García Ortiz. "It is profoundly anomalous," denounced the Second Vice President of the Spanish government. "Disagreement with the conviction cannot mean distrust in the institutions of the State, and even less in the justice system," Bolaños said, lowering her tone at the same press conference. Despite the difference between the two messages, sources at Moncloa assured that they are not incompatible positions but rather "two sides of the same coin." On the other hand, Podemos praised Peramato's career, but hoped that her appointment "wouldn't be a glass precipice," meaning that she wouldn't be placed in a position of maximum responsibility simply because she is a feminist, leading to her failure. "Let her confront this coup-plotting judicial right wing that will want to bring her down," said former Minister of Equality Irene Montero on TVE. Peramato faces the challenge of taking the reins of a Public Prosecutor's Office internally weakened by the legal proceedings against García Ortiz. Judges' and prosecutors' associations have urged her successor to "recover the image," the "lost prestige," and the "impartiality" of the Public Prosecutor's Office. Bolaños emphasized that Peramato is the "absolutely ideal person" for the "challenges" facing the Public Prosecutor's Office and opined that the feelings generated by the announcement leave "no doubt."