Ione Belarra, the Secretary General of Podemos, has described the case against Begoña Gómez as a clear instance of judicial harassment. She criticized Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez for what she sees as a capitulation to the right by negotiating with the People’s Party (PP) over the renewal of the General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ).
In an interview with RNE, reported by Europa Press, Belarra highlighted that Podemos has faced a decade of “lawfare” and is well aware of the “judicial malpractice” that aims to create media pressure against political leaders and their families. She expressed concern that this situation reflects a pattern of judicial harassment that she and others have seen before.
When asked about her views on Begoña Gómez’s conduct, Belarra stated that it is up to the public to judge. She pointed out that regardless of personal opinions about Gómez, it is unacceptable to target the President through lawfare simply because one disagrees with his policies or the government elected by the citizens.
Belarra also urged the PSOE to break its agreement with the PP regarding the CGPJ’s renewal, arguing that it is the right, through its judicial branches, that is orchestrating this offensive against the government. She emphasized that the democratic regeneration of justice is critical, claiming that modern “coup-like” actions often take the form of lawfare intended to stifle social change and democratic progress.
Furthermore, she criticized Sánchez for legitimizing the “judicial war” by collaborating with the PP, a party that had previously blocked CGPJ renewal and was implicated in spying on Podemos members from 2015 to 2016. Belarra warned that this deal gives the PP undue influence over important judicial positions, shielding judges like Manuel Marchena and Pablo Llanera from any accountability regarding their actions against the Amnesty Law, while also allowing the controversial investigations against Podemos, led by Manuel García Castellón, which are prohibited.
Belarra viewed the deal as a significant capitulation by Sánchez. She believes he is beginning to experience the judicial harassment that many have faced in the past decade, describing it as sending a message of surrender to the right. She concluded that while Sánchez may have thought the agreement would hinder lawfare tactics, extending an olive branch to the right would only result in losing more ground.
Image and News Source: https://www.infobae.com/espana/agencias/2024/07/22/belarra-afirma-que-la-causa-contra-begona-gomez-es-acoso-judicial-y-cree-que-sanchez-se-ha-rendido-ante-el-lawfare/
