Spain’s highest judicial authority, the General Council of the Judiciary (Consejo General del Poder Judicial, CGPJ), has unanimously backed Teresa Peramato’s appointment as the country’s new Attorney General. This decision follows the forced resignation of Álvaro García Ortiz, who stepped down after receiving a two-year disqualification sentence linked to the disclosure of confidential information about businessman Alberto González Amador. Peramato must now undergo hearings before the parliamentary committee, and the government aims to fast-track her appointment to avoid a period of uncertainty within the prosecutor’s office.
Peramato brings an impressive professional background—over 35 years of legal experience, far exceeding the minimum requirements for the role. Since 2021, she has led the department combating violence against women, and most recently headed the criminal section of the Supreme Court’s prosecutor’s office. Her expertise and reputation have earned recognition from all professional prosecutors’ associations—a rare consensus in the wake of recent scandals surrounding the former head of the department.
According to established procedure, once approved by the CGPJ, Peramato’s candidacy will be submitted to the Congress of Deputies, where she will appear before the Justice Committee. The government is expected to expedite formalities to ensure a smooth transition of authority and avoid a temporary leadership vacuum in the prosecutor’s office. The official swearing-in will take place following the publication of the corresponding decree in the official state bulletin (Boletín Oficial del Estado, BOE).
Peramato’s appointment comes amid heightened focus on transparency and professionalism within Spain’s justice system. Her legal career began long before these current events, and over decades of service she has earned a reputation as a principled and experienced lawyer. In 2021, Peramato became the first woman to head the specialized prosecution unit on gender-based violence, later advancing to a key role in the criminal division of the Supreme Court. Colleagues commend her deep legal knowledge and ability to navigate complex situations.
Within the professional community, it is noted that such unanimous support for the new prosecutor general’s candidacy is extremely rare. Typically, the appointment process is marked by disputes and disagreements among various prosecutors’ associations, but this time all have recognized Peramato’s qualifications and competence. This consensus is especially significant in light of recent events surrounding the resignation of García Ortiz, who stepped down after a court ruling led to his disqualification.
In the near future, Teresa Peramato is expected to go through a parliamentary approval process, after which she will officially take up her duties. The government hopes that the leadership transition will be as swift and seamless as possible for the justice system. The new attorney general is expected to continue the focus on improving efficiency and transparency in the prosecutor’s office, as well as strengthening public trust in the country’s judicial institutions.
