Spain's Attorney General, Álvaro García Ortiz, has been forced to step down after being found guilty of revealing confidential information in a deeply controversial case, which accentuated the country's political division. The Supreme Court found that García Ortiz had unlawfully revealed details of the tax status of businessman Alberto González Amador, boyfriend of a senior conservative politician. The court handed him a two-year ban from the post and a fine of €7,200 (£6,438). He must also pay €10,000 to Mr Gonzalez Amador as compensation. The trial of García Ortiz fuelled already acrimonious relations between the left-wing government of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and right-wing opposition.
Their contrasting positions were underlined by reactions to the conviction. Sánchez must apologise to Spaniards, resign and call elections, in that order, said Ester Muñoz, spokeswoman for the conservative People's Party. The government said it did not agree with the ruling but respected it and would proceed with the appointment of a new attorney general. However, a number of politicians on the left expressed outrage at what they saw as a politically motivated ruling.
The complex case dates back to March 2024, when the attorney general's office issued a press release stating that Mr González Amador had requested a plea bargain after being found to have evaded tax payments worth €350,951. The document corrected mistaken press reports stating that the attorney general's office had proposed the bargain.
Mr González Amador filed a complaint against the attorney general, claiming his privacy had been breached. García Ortiz's conviction adds to the pressure on Prime Minister Sánchez as multiple investigations loom over his administration.
Their contrasting positions were underlined by reactions to the conviction. Sánchez must apologise to Spaniards, resign and call elections, in that order, said Ester Muñoz, spokeswoman for the conservative People's Party. The government said it did not agree with the ruling but respected it and would proceed with the appointment of a new attorney general. However, a number of politicians on the left expressed outrage at what they saw as a politically motivated ruling.
The complex case dates back to March 2024, when the attorney general's office issued a press release stating that Mr González Amador had requested a plea bargain after being found to have evaded tax payments worth €350,951. The document corrected mistaken press reports stating that the attorney general's office had proposed the bargain.
Mr González Amador filed a complaint against the attorney general, claiming his privacy had been breached. García Ortiz's conviction adds to the pressure on Prime Minister Sánchez as multiple investigations loom over his administration.
