Spain's Amnesty Law Faces Backlash: Top Legal Expert Sounds Alarm

Spain's Amnesty Law: Former Attorney General Warns of 'Tremendous Mistake' Madrid, Spain – June 3, 2025 – The Spanish Constitutional Court's report on the recently proposed amnesty law has sparked considerable debate. Eligio Hernández, former Attorney General of Spain, voiced strong concerns in a recent interview with the television program Espejo Público. Hernández, a respected jurist who served during Felipe González's government, expressed his belief that adopting the report's conclusions as a final ruling would be a "tremendous mistake." He highlighted concerns about the report's interpretation of constitutional limits on legislative power. "If it becomes a ruling," Hernández stated, "it's a tremendous error because it suggests that anything not explicitly prohibited by the constitution is permissible. This approach is fundamentally flawed." His analysis points to the potential for misinterpretations, particularly regarding the implications for issues like torture. Hernández also referenced a book he authored, "La Amnistía en España," which further supports his position. The book, published last year, gathers the opinions of 62 leading constitutional experts, many of whom believe the amnesty law is unconstitutional. The Constitutional Court's report is currently under review, and the potential consequences of its adoption remain a focal point of political and legal discussion in Spain. Hernández's warnings underscore the gravity of the situation and the need for careful consideration.