Madrid: The European Parliament’s Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group (DRFMG) is set to conduct a fact-finding mission in Spain to evaluate democratic standards within the country. The delegation will be in Madrid on February 16 and 17, focusing on issues related to the judiciary and the Attorney General’s Office. The aim is to assess recent developments, engage with stakeholders, and work towards strengthening public trust in democratic institutions.
According to EMM, signs of rule of law backsliding have raised concerns in several Member States, including Spain. Spanish MEP Javier Zarzalejos, who chairs the LIBE Committee and leads the delegation, emphasized the need to address any weakening of checks and balances, questioning of judicial independence, or politicization of institutional safeguards. Zarzalejos stated that the mission intends to send a message of responsibility and engagement to correct these trends.
During their visit, the delegation plans to meet with various in
stitutional and societal figures. These include judicial associations, representatives from the public broadcaster, the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Court, the General Council of the Judiciary, and the Office of the Prosecutor General, among other stakeholders. The goal is to collect diverse and well-founded information from these engagements.
Zarzalejos further asserted that the separation of powers, judicial independence, and respect for the constitutional order are essential foundations of democratic systems. He highlighted the European Union’s commitment to the rule of law, emphasizing that all Member States have a shared responsibility to uphold and reinforce these principles.