Spain - May 2025

On 13 May, the Council of Ministers approved a draft law to change how judges and prosecutors are selected, sending it to parliament for debate. The government says the proposals aim to modernize the judicial system and would mark the first major reform in 40 years. Currently, candidates must pass a highly competitive national exam known as the oposición, which requires years of unpaid preparation. The reform would introduce alternative paths, such as considering prior professional experience and providing financial support like scholarships to reduce economic barriers to preparation. The proposal would also shift responsibility for criminal investigations from judges to prosecutors. Supporters argue the changes would make these careers more accessible and diverse by lowering financial burdens for aspiring candidates. Critics, however, warn that transferring investigative powers to prosecutors could threaten judicial independence, since prosecutors ultimately report to the executive.

Sources: Spanish Council of Ministers, Cinco Días, El País, Europa Press