The negotiator of the PP, Esteban González Pons and of the PSOE, the Minister of Justice and Presidency, Félix Bolaños, met today in Brussels for the second time with the aim of renewing the General Council of the Judiciary, a week later than planned, without yet an agreement. The next meeting will be “during the first fortnight of March”, waiting to close the agendas, in which both have admitted that they are maintaining the effort to find a solution.
The PP negotiator admitted that “progress is slow” in the discussions, because in the opinion of González Pons “the main problem has not been resolved.” According to the latest rule of law report from the European Commission, Brussels asks that the renewal of the body be addressed as a priority and the process on the appointment of judges begin immediately afterwards, but the PP rejects this option.
“The problem is where it has always been,” admitted González Pons after a meeting that lasted a little over an hour. “The PSOE wants to renew, but not a new model, but our country cannot be without a constitutional agreement, progress is slow, we will see if little by little we can reach a point” in common, he added.
Likewise, in the opinion of the popular negotiator, the two months that the European Commission set as the maximum period for negotiation could be extended if the Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, leaves his post at the end of March, as planned. “If Commissioner Reynders finishes his term, I am sure that President Von der Leyen will appoint another commissioner to fill the position. Spain has to allow itself to resolve the conflict over the CGPJ forever and we have a chance. You have to go slow and you have to do things well,” he added.
For his part, Bolaños has indicated that both parties are “aware” of the “seriousness of the situation” and that “enough of the excuses.” He also argued that “the position of the socialist party is the position of the European Commission.” “We must urgently renew the General Council of the Judiciary and immediately afterwards begin a process to improve the model to the extent possible.” In a finding that both sides continue to differ on this issue.
In any case, for Bolaños it is “good news” that both PSOE and PP will meet again in March. However, he has avoided commenting on whether the deadlines should be extended because he considers that two months “is a more than reasonable period” for the negotiation.
On January 26, the European Commission agreed to assume a mediation role in unblocking the renewal of the CGPJ, as Spain had requested a month before. The Commission declared itself “available to get involved” in a two-month structured dialogue with a view to ensuring that Spain complies with the recommendation that the Community Executive has reiterated for almost five years regarding the highest governing body of judges.
