María Jesús Montero, the First Deputy Prime Minister of Spain, has formally apologized for her comments regarding the recent acquittal of footballer Dani Alves, which she initially described as a "shame".

The statement drew sharp criticism from judges, prosecutors, and legal professionals, prompting Montero to retract her language during an event at the Sixth World Local Development Forum in Seville.

In her apology, Montero acknowledged that her remarks could be perceived as undermining the presumption of innocence, a fundamental principle of the rule of law.

"In the literal sense of the expression I used, one could conclude that I questioned the presumption of innocence, a pillar of the state of law.

I withdraw that comment and apologize for it," she stated.

Despite her apology, Montero maintained that the court's ruling represents a setback for women's rights.

Her original comments ignited a wave of reactions, including statements from the General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ) and the General Council of the Bar, both emphasizing the importance of responsible commentary from public officials regarding judicial outcomes.

The CGPJ highlighted the need for public representatives, while affirming their right to critique, to help maintain public trust in the judiciary.

Their statement clarified, "The protection and support for victims, especially in sexual freedom crimes, does not imply renouncing the presumption of innocence, a fundamental right."

Legal professionals expressed concerns about the risks associated with politicians questioning judicial decisions, underscoring that in this case, the presumption of innocence was the only legal principle applied.

Before Montero’s apology, there were intense discussions, including statements from Javier Sánchez, the spokesperson for Podemos in Congress, who described the verdict acquitting Alves of rape as "infamous and disgusting".

Other government officials, such as the spokesperson Pilar Alegría and Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, sought to contextualize Montero's comments, emphasizing the necessity for women to come forward and report cases of violence.

Alegría stated that Montero reflected the bewilderment felt by much of society in light of the ruling, which contradicted a previous judgment made just a year earlier.

Meanwhile, protests occurred outside the Court of Justice of Catalonia, where demonstrators played the song "Rata de dos patas" by Paquita la del Barrio, creating a public display against the verdict.

The situation remains tense as various factions within the government and society grapple with the implications of the court’s ruling.