Spain's attorney general has resigned from his position following a Supreme Court ruling that found him guilty of leaking confidential information in a high-profile case.
Unprecedented Political Fallout
Álvaro García Ortiz announced his departure on Monday, just days after the Supreme Court delivered its verdict. The court found him guilty of disclosing sensitive information related to a case involving the partner of a prominent opposition figure.
In a letter addressed to Justice Minister Félix Bolaños, García Ortiz explained that his decision to step down demonstrated his "profound respect" for judicial rulings. He made this move before the court could formally hand down his two-year sentence, which would have banned him from his position.
Government Stands By Controversial Figure
The resignation represents a significant setback for Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's leftist coalition government. Sánchez had appointed García Ortiz in 2022 and consistently defended his innocence throughout the legal proceedings.
Government spokesperson Pilar Alegría expressed the administration's position clearly, stating: "We respect the court's decision but do not agree with it." She highlighted concerns about the verdict being delivered without a full ruling and without unanimous agreement among judges, calling these aspects "a worrying precedent" that had caused public "stupefaction."
Despite his resignation, the legal battle may not be over for García Ortiz. The Supreme Court has yet to publish its detailed rationale for the verdict, and the former attorney general retains the right to appeal the decision. He could potentially take his case to Spain's constitutional court and, ultimately, to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.
Institutional Loyalty Claimed Amid Controversy
In his resignation letter, which Reuters obtained, García Ortiz maintained that he had served his position with "unequivocal vocation for public service, a sense of duty and institutional loyalty." He expressed conviction that he had "faithfully served the institution" during his tenure.
The case marks an unprecedented moment in Spanish legal and political history, demonstrating the judiciary's willingness to hold high-ranking officials accountable for breaches of confidentiality. The outcome continues to reverberate through Spanish political circles as the government contends with this substantial blow to its administration.
