Supreme Court judge's amnesty draft sparks fury among Constitutional Court leftists

On Tuesday, the Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court, led by rapporteur Manuel Marchena together with Andrés Martínez Arrieta and Antonio del Moral, drafted an order to pardon the four Catalan leaders convicted for the 1-O coup attempt: Oriol Junqueras, Dolors Bassa, Jordi Turull and Raül Romeva. The draft also rebuked Cándido Conde-Pumpido, president of the Constitutional Court, for what the Supreme Court judges described as overly grandiose language in his earlier judgment on Bassa.

While the Constitutional Court was convening its plenary to consider a separate appeal by Jordi Turull, the draft was sent to the twelve magistrates' mobile devices, prompting visible agitation among the left-leaning members. Reports indicate that judges such as Ramón Sáez Valcárcel, Juan Carlos Campo and Laura Díez reacted with vocal criticism. The incident underscores a deepening rivalry between the two top judicial bodies over the scope of their authority, especially in politically sensitive cases. Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court is also set to deliberate on a petition from Defensor del Pueblo Ángel Gabilondo concerning the “Ley de Nietos” ahead of upcoming elections.