Feijóo denounces a government «capable of organizing hunts» against police, judges and prosecutors «for doing their job»

The Spanish Ministry of Justice has announced the largest-ever recruitment drive for judges and prosecutors, marking a significant shift in the country's judicial landscape. On June 15, 2026, the official gazette *Boletín Oficial del Estado* published the call for 700 new positions, divided into two categories: 575 open to candidates who will compete via public examination and 125 reserved for experienced legal professionals eligible for the so-called “fourth turn.” This initiative represents a major expansion of the judiciary and prosecution services, aimed at addressing long-standing challenges related to workload, efficiency, and accessibility of justice.

According to the ministry, this recruitment is the most substantial in Spain’s history, surpassing previous efforts such as the 350 positions created between 2012 and 2016. Since 2018, the government has already called for 2,515 positions, tripling the number of appointments made during the previous two legislative periods under former Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy. The current drive includes 375 judge positions and 200 prosecutor roles to be filled through competitive exams starting in October. Additionally, the Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ) is responsible for selecting the 125 magistrate positions, which require candidates with over ten years of professional experience.

This expansion comes as part of broader reforms aimed at modernizing the judicial system. The new model introduced by the Law on Efficiency of the Public Justice Service replaces traditional single-judge courts with multi-judge panels supported by shared technical offices. This approach reduces costs significantly—creating a judicial position now costs approximately €100,000 compared to the €500,000 required for establishing a full court. Similarly, the prosecution service is set to grow by 7.1 percent, increasing its staff from 2,804 to 3,004 members. This growth is unprecedented, as no more than 100 new prosecutor positions have been added in a single year in the past two decades.

The distribution of these new positions was determined based on objective criteria such as population size, litigation levels, and reports from the CGPJ, the State Attorney General, and regional governments. The goal is to ensure that areas with higher demand receive adequate resources while maintaining a balanced national structure. According to the ministry, this move is part of a larger transformation of the justice system, intended to make it more efficient, modern, and accessible to citizens.

The announcement of this large-scale recruitment follows a period of political tension and criticism directed at the current government. In a separate speech delivered earlier in June, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the opposition People’s Party (PP), accused the ruling Socialist party of engaging in a campaign against judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement officials. He claimed that the government had created an environment where these professionals were being targeted for doing their jobs, even suggesting they were being subjected to a kind of “hunt” reminiscent of historical purges. Feijóo emphasized the need for a complete overhaul of institutions and a return to ethical governance, positioning his party as the alternative to what he described as a corrupt and ineffective administration.

Feijóo also criticized the current leadership of the Spanish government, particularly President Pedro Sánchez, accusing him of leading a regime that had become synonymous with corruption. He referenced several high-profile cases involving members of the government and suggested that the socialist administration had failed to live up to its promises of transparency and integrity. His remarks came amid growing public scrutiny of the government’s handling of various scandals, including allegations of misuse of power and conflicts of interest among senior officials.

Despite the political controversy surrounding the judicial reforms, the government remains committed to implementing them as part of its broader agenda to modernize public services. The proposed changes include the digitization of court procedures, improved case management systems, and enhanced collaboration between different branches of the justice system. These measures aim to reduce delays, improve transparency, and increase public confidence in the judiciary.

Looking ahead, the final approval of the new judicial framework depends on the incorporation of feedback from various stakeholders, including the CGPJ, the State Attorney General, regional authorities, and other relevant ministries. Once finalized, the new regulations will take effect through royal decrees, ensuring their integration into the existing legal framework. The government expects these reforms to have a lasting impact on the functioning of the justice system, potentially setting a precedent for future administrations. As the process moves forward, the success of this ambitious initiative will depend on effective implementation, continued investment, and sustained political support.