By In\u00e9s Fern\u00e1ndez-Pontes<\/p>\n
(EurActiv<\/a>) \u2014 Spain\u2019s main prosecutors\u2019 associations are calling for the resignation of Attorney General \u00c1lvaro Garc\u00eda Ort\u00edz, who was officially indicted on\u00a0Tuesday<\/a>\u00a0for allegedly leaking confidential information from an investigation involving the partner of a prominent opposition leader.<\/p>\n Garc\u00eda Ort\u00edz, who has served as Spain\u2019s top prosecutor since August 2022, has been under investigation since\u00a0early June<\/a>\u00a0for disclosing to the press an email containing personal data relating to a judicial probe into Alberto Gonz\u00e1lez Amador, the businessman and partner of Isabel D\u00edaz Ayuso, leader of Madrid\u2019s Popular Party. Gonz\u00e1lez Amador is under investigation for alleged tax fraud and forgery.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cGarc\u00eda Ortiz should resign in order to defend himself as a private citizen \u2013 independent of the institution \u2013 rather than as attorney general,\u201d Cristina Dexeus, president of the Prosecutors\u2019 Association (AF), told Euractiv, describing his continued presence as causing \u201csignificant reputational damage\u201d to the Spanish prosecution service.<\/p>\n The Spanish Association of Independent Prosecutors (APIF) has formally requested that the judge overseeing Garc\u00eda Ortiz\u2019s case at the Supreme Court suspend him temporarily. The judge has asked the Public Prosecutor\u2019s Office to respond within three days, Euractiv\u2019s partner\u00a0Servimedia\u00a0reports<\/a>.<\/p>\n The progressive prosecutors\u2019 association (UPF), to which Garc\u00eda Ortiz belonged before becoming attorney general, said in a statement it \u201cstrongly disagrees\u201d with Tuesday\u2019s indictment.<\/p>\n When in Madrid\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n Despite mounting pressure, Spain\u2019s government has closed ranks around the attorney general.<\/p>\n \u201cWe support the actions of the state\u2019s attorney general. We believe in his innocence. He has the endorsement and support of the government,\u201d Prime Minister Pedro S\u00e1nchez told journalists following the announcement.<\/p>\n \u201cHe has done and continues to do a magnificent job,\u201d said First Vice-President and Finance Minister Mar\u00eda Jes\u00fas Montero.<\/p>\n Defence Minister Margarita Robles took a more cautious line, stating that the decision to resign is ultimately \u201chis personal choice.\u201d<\/p>\n Under Spanish law, attorneys general are appointed by the government, a practice that has raised concerns in Brussels.<\/p>\n The European Commission\u2019s 2025 Rule of Law Report\u00a0recommended<\/a>\u00a0that Spain strengthen the \u201cindependence and autonomy of the prosecution\u201d from the government.<\/p>\n Further doubts about the prosecution\u2019s independence have been fuelled by mounting corruption scandals surrounding S\u00e1nchez\u2019s inner circle, which have already forced several key figures to resign.<\/p>\n