In a resignation letter addressed to Justice Minister Félix Bolaños, García Ortiz said that his “deep respect” for judicial decisions and “desire to protect the Spanish Public Prosecutor’s Office” obliged him to step down immediately.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Sunday said he “regretted” the conviction and affirmed his belief in the outgoing attorney general’s innocence. But he also underscored the sanctity of the rule of law in Spain, insisting the government “respects rulings and abides by them.”
Sánchez added that there were legal channels by which García Ortiz can “address any controversial aspects of this ruling.” The outgoing attorney general could file an appeal with the country’s Constitutional Court, or even seek to challenge it beyond Spain’s borders.
García Ortiz’s conviction has generated immense controversy in Spain, with opinions split largely along ideological lines. While the center-right People’s Party and far-right Vox group have cheered the court’s decision, Sánchez’s ruling coalition has rallied around him, accusing the judiciary of being weaponized by conservative political forces. Groups less friendly to Sánchez have also sided with with García Ortiz, citing their own, unhappy experiences with alleged “lawfare” in Spain.
Last week the Catalan separatist Junts party — which recently staged a public breakup with the Spanish government — said it was unsurprised by the ruling “because we know how the Supreme Court works.” The usually critical, far-left Podemos party on Monday said the attorney general’s exit was the result of a “judicial coup.”