A new scandal has erupted in Spain involving the online conduct of members of the judiciary. One of the judges came under scrutiny after posting harsh and derogatory comments on social network X directed at the country’s prime minister and his wife. The messages included offensive nicknames and accusations of attempting to undermine the state.
The country’s governing judicial body decided not to ignore the incident. Although closing the case had previously been considered, the commission opted to initiate disciplinary proceedings. The reason was that existing judicial practice does not address the issue of judges’ behavior on social media, and this is the first case of its kind.
Particular attention was paid to the potential damage such posts could cause to the reputation of the judiciary. During discussions, it was emphasized that freedom of speech does not extend to personal insults, especially when concerning public officials. The commission itself was divided, but ultimately decided to refer the case to the disciplinary board.
The judge’s further fate now depends on the decision of a special commission, which must determine whether he violated professional ethical standards. If the disciplinary proceedings result in a recommendation for punishment, the final decision will rest with the highest judicial authority. This case could set a precedent for future rulings on the acceptable boundaries of judicial conduct online.
