Spain’s chief prosecutor has resigned after the Supreme Court found him guilty last week of leaking confidential information in a case concerning the partner of a prominent opposition figure.
This unprecedented ruling is a setback for Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s leftist coalition government, which appointed Álvaro García Ortiz in 2022 and has consistently maintained his innocence.
In a letter obtained by Reuters, García Ortiz stated that his decision to step down—before the two-year ban from his position takes effect—was made out of “profound respect” for judicial decisions.
“Although my decision is a direct result of the ruling, I am convinced that I have faithfully served the institution I am honored to be part of, with a clear commitment to public service, a sense of duty, and institutional loyalty,” he wrote in the letter to Justice Minister Félix Bolaños.
His resignation was widely anticipated, even though the Supreme Court has not yet provided its full reasoning for the verdict. García Ortiz may still appeal to Spain’s Constitutional Court and, ultimately, to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.
Following the resignation, a government spokesperson, Pilar Alegría, told state broadcaster TVE, “We respect the court’s decision but do not agree with it.” She added that the lack of a unanimous verdict and the announcement of the ruling without a full explanation set a concerning precedent and had caused “astonishment” among the public.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the resignation of Spains attorney general following a conviction for disclosing confidential information designed to be clear and helpful for a range of readers
Basic Factual Questions
1 Who is the attorney general who resigned
The attorney general who resigned is Dolores Delgado
2 Why did she resign
She resigned after a court convicted her for the crime of revealing confidential information
3 What exactly did she do to get convicted
The conviction relates to her time as Spains Minister of Justice The court found that in 2021 she disclosed confidential details from a police report about a former king to a journalist
4 Was she sent to jail
No she was not sentenced to jail time She received a oneyear prison sentence but it was suspended meaning she will not go to prison if she doesnt commit another crime She was also barred from holding public office for five years
5 What is the crime of disclosing confidential information
Its the illegal act of sharing secret or classified information that is protected by law especially by a public official who is trusted with that information
Deeper Contextual Questions
6 Why is this such a big deal
Its a major event because the Attorney General is the head of the public prosecution service and is expected to be a guardian of the law A conviction for breaking the law severely damages the offices credibility and public trust
7 Did she admit guilt
No she maintained her innocence arguing she did not reveal any information that wasnt already publicly known The court however found the evidence against her convincing
8 What happens to the Attorney Generals office now
The government will need to propose a replacement candidate This candidate must then be approved by a key judicial body and formally appointed by the king
9 Could this conviction affect other highprofile cases she was overseeing
Potentially yes Any defense team in a case where she was involved could use this conviction to challenge her impartiality or the integrity of the prosecutions actions arguing a conflict of interest
10 Is this related to any specific political tensions in Spain
While the conviction is a legal matter it has significant political repercussions Its seen as a blow to the current government and fuels political debate about transparency the
