By Inés Fernández-Pontes

(EurActiv) — Spain’s main prosecutors’ associations are calling for the resignation of Attorney General Álvaro García Ortíz, who was officially indicted on Tuesday for allegedly leaking confidential information from an investigation involving the partner of a prominent opposition leader.

García Ortíz, who has served as Spain’s top prosecutor since August 2022, has been under investigation since early June for disclosing to the press an email containing personal data relating to a judicial probe into Alberto González Amador, the businessman and partner of Isabel Díaz Ayuso, leader of Madrid’s Popular Party. González Amador is under investigation for alleged tax fraud and forgery. 

“García Ortiz should resign in order to defend himself as a private citizen – independent of the institution – rather than as attorney general,” Cristina Dexeus, president of the Prosecutors’ Association (AF), told Euractiv, describing his continued presence as causing “significant reputational damage” to the Spanish prosecution service.

The Spanish Association of Independent Prosecutors (APIF) has formally requested that the judge overseeing García Ortiz’s case at the Supreme Court suspend him temporarily. The judge has asked the Public Prosecutor’s Office to respond within three days, Euractiv’s partner Servimedia reports.

The progressive prosecutors’ association (UPF), to which García Ortiz belonged before becoming attorney general, said in a statement it “strongly disagrees” with Tuesday’s indictment.

When in Madrid…

Despite mounting pressure, Spain’s government has closed ranks around the attorney general.

“We support the actions of the state’s attorney general. We believe in his innocence. He has the endorsement and support of the government,” Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez told journalists following the announcement.

“He has done and continues to do a magnificent job,” said First Vice-President and Finance Minister María Jesús Montero.

Defence Minister Margarita Robles took a more cautious line, stating that the decision to resign is ultimately “his personal choice.”

Under Spanish law, attorneys general are appointed by the government, a practice that has raised concerns in Brussels.

The European Commission’s 2025 Rule of Law Report recommended that Spain strengthen the “independence and autonomy of the prosecution” from the government.

Further doubts about the prosecution’s independence have been fuelled by mounting corruption scandals surrounding Sánchez’s inner circle, which have already forced several key figures to resign.

A hearing of the attorney general is expected to take place this Autumn, reported El País.