Reynders affirms that the situation in Spain is different from Poland and Hungary, where they can suspend European funds

MADRID, 30 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Justice Commissioner of the European Union (EU), Didier Reynders, assured this Friday that the situation that Spain is going through with the blockade of the renewal of the Judiciary is different from the cases of Poland and Hungary, a country in which warned that European funds may be suspended.

This is how he expressed himself in an interview on Radio Nacional, collected by Europa Press, when asked if he is concerned that in Europe the political blockade to renew the Judiciary could end up being associated with the challenges for the independence of justice that have presented Poland and Hungary.

Reynders has asserted that the situations are different since in Spain the objective is to "improve the situation" so that "the independence of justice is respected even more" while what they have seen in Poland and Hungary are "regressions".

For these scenarios they use other instruments, explained the Belgian politician, at the same time that he has warned that they can "get to suspend European funds destined for Hungary in case it is not put in order".

On whether they are considering filing Spain if the blockade persists to renew the body for electing judges, Reynders has pointed out that they will analyze how the projects progress and it will be there when he can answer this question.

"We have presented a recommendation and we are trying to encourage the different political formations to dialogue through my presence in Madrid, as we do in all capitals," he added. Thus, he has emphasized that they work through dialogue so that "European rules are complied with". "What we are asking for is not a position from the Commission," she assured.

Reynders concludes his visit to Spain this Friday without having sat down with the actors in this negotiation. At this point, he has assured that "there has not been a request to go in this direction" and that, therefore, it has not been a lost opportunity to dialogue with the PP and the Government at the same table.

"The only thing we do is show what is the orientation that we want to apply through our recommendation, which is, ultimately, to favor dialogue. Then the negotiation has to take place between the Spanish authorities and it is not the Commission that has to participate there," he pointed out.

Of course, he hopes that before the start of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU, in the second half of 2023, the reforms will have already been made.