European Ministers of General Affairs this Monday democratic health in four Member States, including Spain, as part of periodic review Based on the European Commission’s annual report on the rule of law in the 27th century. and is in the middle of the parliamentary process in the Spanish Amnesty Law Cortes, awaiting consideration by Brussels once the norm is finalized.
The format foresees a half-hour discussion about each of the countries planned for analysis (in this case: Spain, France, Italy and Croatia). Each dialogue will begin with a presentation from the European Commission. The main keys to your 2023 report According to European sources told Europa Press, the presentation of the position of the Member State in question will be followed by comments from other delegations wishing to speak, and the country in which the debate is taking place will close the dialogue.
The debate on the democratic health of each partner is not exceptional, as since the end of 2020, 27 countries have periodically scheduled this dialogue to address the situation in blocs of four or five countries. This is the second time Spain has been one of the delegations analysed, following the first return in April 2021.
The appointment also comes just days before the first meeting between PSOE and PP, sponsored by the European Commission. Removing blockage in renovation General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ). Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders, who acted as mediator, summoned Félix Bolaños, Minister of Presidency, Justice and Relations with the Cortes, and PP Deputy Secretary for Corporate Affairs Esteban González Pons. The first meeting was held in Brussels this Wednesday and the parties were given two months to find a solution.
In the European Commission’s recommendations for Spain rule of law report 2022 and 2023 Renewing the CGPJ and addressing system reform “immediately afterwards” appears to be a priority issue, and these recommendations will form the basis of the mediation that Reynders wants to conduct.
The annual assessment, carried out by community services, does not point to systemic risks to the rule of law in Spain but does make recommendations such as an urgent resolution of the CGPJ blockade and amnesty law It was stated that PSOE reached an agreement with ERC and Junts to guarantee the appointment of Pedro Sánchez.
Regarding this rule, the Commissioner of Justice has stated many times that he will examine the rule very carefully, aware of the “concern” it creates in segments of society and the judiciary, but has clearly stated that he will not implement this rule. He will remain in this position until the parliamentary process in Spain is concluded.
Common official languages in the EU
Monday’s ministerial meeting will be the first General Affairs meeting since Spain handed over the EU Council presidency to Belgium. This will also be the first time since last September that the recognition of Catalan, Basque and Galician languages is not on the agenda.
During the Spanish semester, the official nature of common official languages was discussed, which is one of the commitments made by PSOE with Junts for the new legislature. Meetings of European ministers of general affairs Despite the reservations of many countries, for different reasons, about changing a regulation on official languages, up to four times, any change requires the unanimity of 27 countries.
In December, many delegations regretted that the issue remained on the agenda despite the lack of progress and the lack of precise information on the legal, practical and financial impact needed to address the fallout.
Official sources from different Member States consulted by Europa Press stressed that they “do not have the necessary data to make a decision” and were confident that the December meeting on this issue, described by a senior diplomat, would be “the last of a season”. As an initiative “pampered” by the Spanish Government.
In this context, Belgium On January 1, it took over the EU Council term presidency from Spain. In December, he made clear his willingness to take “appropriate steps” during his term and “pay particular attention to the different analyzes required”; These analyzes have remained pending to date, and there is no clear timetable for their development.
In the eyes of the Belgian team, the ministerial meeting should not be seen as a “working group”; Therefore, they do not foresee Spain’s request returning to high-level discussions until significant steps are taken, primarily at the technical level.