A key hearing took place in Madrid: Teresa Peramato appeared before members of the lower house of parliament for the mandatory assessment of her suitability for the position of Attorney General. At the outset of her address, Peramato expressed her gratitude to her predecessor, Álvaro García Ortiz, noting his role in modernizing and developing the prosecution system. She also addressed the recent scandal involving his conviction, emphasizing that the incident was a painful blow to the entire office.
Peramato stated openly that she intends to work toward restoring trust within the prosecutor’s office. According to her, only a collective effort by all staff can heal the ‘deep wound’ caused by García Ortiz’s sentencing. She emphasized that the Spanish model for appointing the Attorney General, where the candidate is approved by the government, is in line with the practice in most European countries. In her view, this process does not undermine the impartiality of the institution.
Challenges and reforms
During the hearing, Teresa Peramato emphasized the need to reform Spain’s outdated procedural system. She called the current system a “rarity” in Europe and urged lawmakers to seek parliamentary consensus. In her view, it should be prosecutors—not investigating judges—who lead investigations, which would improve the efficiency and transparency of law enforcement agencies.
Lawmakers listened closely to Peramato’s arguments, asking questions about her views on the independence of the prosecution and possible steps to modernize the system. The discussion focused on the balance between the executive branch and the autonomy of prosecutors, as well as the prospects for changing the role of prosecutors in criminal proceedings.
Context of the Appointment
The hearing in Congress became a mandatory step after the General Council of the Judiciary (Consejo General del Poder Judicial, CGPJ) issued its opinion on Peramato’s candidacy. For reference, her predecessor, Álvaro García Ortiz, was forced to step down after receiving a two-year ban from public office for disclosing confidential information related to the Alberto González Amador case, the partner of Madrid regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso.
The hearing procedure before the Parliamentary Justice Committee, as stipulated in Article 29 of the Organic Statute of the Public Prosecutor’s Office (Estatuto Orgánico del Ministerio Fiscal, EOMF), is mandatory but not decisive. The final decision on the appointment is made by the government, although the parliament’s opinion is traditionally taken into account when confirming a candidate.
Reaction and Expectations
During the discussion, Peramato repeatedly emphasized that her main objective is to restore trust in the Public Prosecutor’s Office and ensure its independence. She also expressed her willingness to engage in dialogue with representatives of all political parties to develop a unified approach to reforms. In her words, only joint efforts can overcome the crisis of confidence and take the system to a new level.
The issue of who should lead investigations—prosecutors or judges—sparked lively debate among lawmakers. Some expressed concerns that granting these powers to prosecutors could increase executive influence over criminal proceedings. Others, however, supported Peramato’s initiative, considering it a step towards aligning with European standards.
In case you didn’t know, Teresa Peramato is an experienced lawyer who has previously held various positions within Spain’s prosecution system. She is well known for her work on women’s rights and combating domestic violence. Her candidacy was put forward after the resignation of Álvaro García Ortiz, who had served as Attorney General since 2022. Peramato now faces the task of not only restoring the reputation of the office but also implementing necessary reforms to adapt Spain’s system to modern challenges.
