Óscar Puente confronts judicial corporatism and demands "more courage" in the face of resolutions that cast doubt on impartiality

The Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Óscar Puente, accused the Francisco de Vitoria Judicial Association this Tuesday of responding with "corporatism" to the government's criticisms and demanded "bolder" positions from the Judiciary regarding some judicial resolutions.

Puente placed the debate around the Supreme Court order that provisionally suspends the electoral effects of certain registrations in the Census of Absent Residents linked to the so-called 'grandchildren's law'. The recognized nationality remains intact, but those affected will provisionally lose the possibility of voting while the merits of the appeal are resolved.

The minister's intervention after the Council of Ministers also allowed for the presentation of the third Airport Regulation Document (DORA III), which will mobilize nearly 13,000 million euros until 2031 and will keep Aena's fees practically frozen for the next five years.

Puente points out the judicial association's double standard

The Francisco de Vitoria Judicial Association had accused the Executive of launching disqualifications that went beyond legitimate criticism of a specific resolution. Puente responded by asking the organization to also examine the actions of some members of the judicial career and their relationship with political leaders.

"I would like some pronouncement from the Judiciary a little bolder and more realistic when it comes to assessing what is happening in this country with certain judicial resolutions," the minister defended.

Puente expressly asked about the suitability of Antonio Narváez, rapporteur of the order on the 'grandchildren's law', to guarantee the appearance of impartiality required. The magistrate participated in 2023 in a meeting with the president of the Popular Party, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, during which he expressed his desire for the PP to reach La Moncloa, proposed the repeal of progressive laws, and cast doubt on electoral processes involving Indra.

"Is he the most suitable rapporteur to guarantee the appearance of impartiality required in this case?" Puente asked. The minister also urged the association to assess the reservations formulated by several members of the Central Electoral Board (JEC), including Supreme Court magistrates, who went so far as to describe the order as a "legal absurdity".

The JEC decided this Monday by seven votes to six to abide by the decision and dismiss an appeal. The division reflects the legal doubts caused by a precautionary measure adopted without previously hearing the affected persons and which will now have to be executed through a review in consulates.

Puente has also supported the words of the Minister for Digital Transformation and Public Function, Óscar López, on the existence of "savior" judges and "lone wolves" who try to intervene in the political arena. The Minister of Transport has defended that his criticisms are based on concrete facts and has warned that closing ranks before any resolution increases the wear and tear of Justice itself.

"It is a show of corporatism that disregards reality and leads the Judiciary to end up even more in its own disrepute. Anyway, that's their problem," he concluded.

The Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration and Government spokesperson, Elma Saiz, has supported Puente and highlighted his long legal experience. Saiz has placed his statements within the Executive's shared defense of independence, impartiality and citizen trust in the courts.

The Minister of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, Ángel Víctor Torres, has recalled that 571,000 nationality files have been approved and that 333,696 people have registered in consular offices. Against those who speak of an alteration of the census, Torres has asked if they know in advance what these new Spaniards will vote and has recalled that Feijóo also defended nationality for children and grandchildren of exiles.

Almost 13 billion and practically frozen fees

The Council of Ministers has also approved the DORA III for the period 2027-2031, the document that sets the investments, services and tariff framework for the airport network managed by Aena. Puente has presented it as the largest investment effort made so far in Spanish airports.

Of the nearly 13 billion euros planned, 9.991 billion will be directly allocated to airport activity. The other 3 billion will finance commercial actions and complementary services. The annual rate of regulated investment will be close to 2 billion, compared to 450 million annually in the 2022-2026 period.

The Government has considerably lowered the tariff increase that Aena intended. The airport manager, majority public, had proposed an annual increase of 3.82%, equivalent to 43 cents per passenger. The plan approved this Tuesday limits the increase to 0.33%, about three cents per traveler per year. Airlines demanded a 4.9% reduction.

Investments include 2,851 million for terminals, 937 million for airfields and more than 1,650 million to reinforce security. Around 660 million will be dedicated to improving connection with other means of transport and advancing decarbonization, while 400 million will modernize baggage systems. Another 3,240 million will cover the conservation of the network.

Madrid-Barajas will receive 4,477 million euros and Catalonia, 1,962 million, with 1,765 million allocated to Barcelona-El Prat. The Canary Islands will have 1,807 million, the Valencian Community will exceed 1,270 million, the Balearic Islands will receive more than 1,000 million and Malaga-Costa del Sol will have another 830 million.

Aena expects the network to go from 321 million passengers registered in 2025 to about 358 million in 2031. Air transport represents 5.9% of the Spanish gross domestic product, sustains about 600,000 direct and indirect jobs and allows the arrival of more than 80% of international tourists.

The program will be financed with the revenues of the airport system itself and will be outside the General State Budgets. "This DORA is not a plan for two or three large airports. It is a plan for Spain," Puente remarked.