The Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Óscar Puente, has reproached the Francisco de Vitoria Judicial Association (AJFV) for a "corporativism" detached from "reality" regarding judicial decisions that he considers questionable, citing as an example the ruling that removes the voting right from those nationalized by the known 'grandchildren's law'.
In the press conference following the Council of Ministers, Puente has also demanded "some pronouncement" from the Judiciary "a little braver" and "more realistic" when "assessing what is happening in this country with certain judicial rulings".
The minister expressed himself this way after the AJFV stated that the government's criticisms of the Supreme Court for the precautionary suspension of the electoral effects of the 'grandchildren's law' constitute "disqualifications that transcend the legitimate criticism of a specific ruling".
Puente has raised several questions to the association, urging them to speak out about the "secret" meetings that members of the Judiciary and the Prosecutor's Office held with the PP. In particular, he has asked for clarification regarding the assessment of the meeting between the rapporteur of the 'grandchildren's law' ruling, Antonio Narváez, and the opposition leader, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, in 2023, where, according to the minister, he expressed the desire for a government to repeal progressive laws and raised doubts about the Spanish electoral system.
From there, Puente has requested the AJFV to state whether Narváez "is the most suitable rapporteur to guarantee the appearance of impartiality required in this case" and also about the statements of the Supreme Court magistrates in the Central Electoral Board (JEC) who, he indicated, described the ruling of the TS as a "legal nonsense".
"It would be good if they spoke out," Puente reiterated, who has also criticized that members of the judicial career "exclusively shield themselves in the statements" of political leaders, but "close their eyes" and "do not realize that those who are questioning the very impartiality of the Judiciary are some judges".
The minister has also supported the statements of Minister Óscar López about "patriot-saving" judges and "lone wolves" who engage in politics, and has insisted that he is based on "concrete facts," describing the association's statement as a "show of corporativism that disregards reality and leads the Judiciary to further discredit itself." "In short, that's their problem," he has emphasized.
Government support for Puente's criticisms
The Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saiz, has expressed the Government's support for Puente's words, emphasizing that "he has a long legal experience."
"Ultimately, what he confirms is what we all think and each one expresses in a different way: the necessary impartiality and independence of the Judiciary and the confidence that justice will be done," added the also spokesperson of the Executive.
Debate on the vote of the beneficiaries of the 'grandchildren's law'
In this context, the Minister of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, Ángel Víctor Torres, has pointed out that 333,696 people have registered in the consular offices and 571,000 files have been approved, asking "do you know what you are going to vote for?" in light of accusations of electoral roll manipulation.
"They are Spaniards, according to a law and, therefore, whoever says that the electoral roll is being tampered with because these people can vote, it should also be considered whether the electoral roll is not tampered with if, having that right, they do not vote," Torres summarized, also recalling that Feijóo has previously defended nationality for grandchildren and children of exiles.