It will evaluate the reforms in its annual report.
The European institutions continue to emphasize that reforms to judicial systems across member states should be preceded by broad consultations with interested parties. In practice, Brussels supports the activity of national courts and emphasizes Spain’s alignment with European standards. The aim is to ensure that the constitutional framework and its application meet the expectations of both the European Union and member states through collaborative oversight from Brussels.
The Community Manager has stated that the situation in Spain is being monitored closely. During a recent press conference, it was noted that the Constitutional Court was informed of the decision to suspend the criminal law reform in the Senate, a reform package that would remove the crime of rebellion and alter the electoral system in the Turkish Republic. Justice Spokesperson Christian Wigand explained that while the Brussels office does not adjudicate the merits of pending reforms, it expresses cautious optimism that national authorities will proceed in accordance with applicable rules and procedures.
In the same discussion, the community services underlined that, when evaluating judicial reforms, it is essential to engage affected stakeholders, including the judiciary and relevant judicial boards, where appropriate. This approach is consistent with European expectations that reforms should be preceded by meaningful consultations rather than undertaken in isolation.
Sources point to European standards advocating advance consultation with key actors such as the General Assembly for the Judiciary (CGPJ), prosecutors, and judges, or the Council, before any far-reaching reform is introduced. The Venice Commission, representing European norms on rule of law and constitutional matters, is cited in this context as a reference point for best practices.
In the case of Spain, sources stress that the Constitutional Court has the authority to resolve any doubts or complaints about the reform process and the manner in which authorities implement rules.
It will evaluate the reforms in its annual report.
Last week the Community Manager signaled that Spain’s reforms will be assessed in the framework of the annual review of the rule of law across all member states. The assessment includes a broad analysis of democratic health in each country, typically published at the onset of summer indicators.
As long as a bill remains under consideration, the Community Manager reiterated, no formal judgments will be issued on ongoing processes. The focus remains on preserving the core principles of the rule of law and ensuring that reforms align with established norms.
In this context, Brussels also recalled the European Commission’s stance on the delays in renewing the General Assembly for the Judiciary (CGPJ), urging a clear and determined completion of the process. This position aligns with the Commission’s recent rule of law report, which calls for urgent renewal of Spain’s governing judiciary and the timely reform of the electoral framework, ensuring that the composition of the CGPJ is in line with the standards recommended by Brussels and the Council of Europe.