On May 23, 2025, five associations representing judges and prosecutors in Spain issued a formal request to the government, demanding the withdrawal of a proposed reform introduced by Justice Minister Félix Bolaños.

This reform, referred to as the "Organic Law for the Expansion and Strengthening of the Judicial and Prosecutorial Careers," has been characterized by the associations as a significant regression in the rule of law.

In response, they have announced a joint work stoppage scheduled for June 11 to express their opposition to the legislation.

The associations explicitly indicated that they are considering the possibility of organizing a strike should the reform proceed.

The Minister of Justice, Félix Bolaños, has responded to the criticisms in a letter to the associations, asserting that the proposed law signifies the most substantial transformation of the justice system in decades.

Bolaños emphasized that the legislation addresses essential reforms needed to confront the challenges of 21st-century justice.

The dissenting associations have outlined four specific measures to be taken if the reform advances.

Firstly, they plan to send their dissenting reports to both the European Parliament and the Council of Europe.

Their intention is to activate European channels, particularly GRECO (the Group of States Against Corruption) and the Venice Commission, to highlight how the reform may threaten judicial independence and the functioning of the Public Prosecutor's Office, potentially infringing on the separation of powers.

In addition to this action, the associations will conduct meetings with various legal institutions, including attorneys and state prosecutors, to inform them of the perceived dangers posed by the proposed legislation.

They also plan to challenge in court one of the measures included in the reform, which seeks to solidify the positions of substitute judges and prosecutors.

The organized work stoppage will take place for 10 minutes on June 11 at 12:00 PM outside judicial offices.

This action is intended to bring visibility to the discontent among judicial and prosecutorial staff regarding the proposed reforms and to display solidarity with the stated objectives of the protesting associations.

The joint statement issued by the associations is signed by five of the seven professional organizations: the Professional Association of Magistrates, the Francisco de Vitoria Judicial Association, the Independent Judicial Forum, the Association of Prosecutors, and the Independent Professional Association of Prosecutors.

The communication concludes by leaving the door open for negotiations while also signifying that they are prepared to take necessary collective action.

It asserts a commitment to engage in discussions with the Ministry of Justice and parliamentary groups to constructively debate the foundation of the proposed reforms, without renouncing any necessary conflict measures to achieve their objectives.

Minister Bolaños addressed the situation in a Senate Justice Committee meeting, stating that many of the concerns raised by the associations are unfounded, and he extended an offer to continue discussions with judicial and prosecutorial associations as well as legal sector representatives and parliamentary groups to improve the proposed law as needed.