MEPs Assess Rule of Law in Spain

A delegation from the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) has embarked on a fact-finding mission in Madrid, Spain, to evaluate the state of the European Union’s fundamental values, with a focus on judicial independence and anti-corruption measures. The visit, scheduled for February 16-17, 2026, follows recommendations from the Democracy, Rule of Law, and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group (DRFMG).

The delegation includes LIBE Chair Javier Zarzalejos (EPP, ES), DRFMG Chair Raquel García Hermida-van der Walle (Renew, NL), Alessandro Zan (S&D, IT), Jorge Buxadé Villalba (PfE, ES), and Assita Kanko (ECR, BE). Their agenda features meetings with high-level judicial representatives, including members of the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court, as well as interactions with the Ministry of Justice, parliamentarians, and the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office. Civil society organizations, media representatives, and academic experts on rule of law and transparency will also engage with the MEPs.

The delegation will address the media at Spain’s Congress of Deputies and hold a press conference at the European Parliament Liaison Office in Madrid. These events are part of the LIBE Committee’s ongoing efforts to monitor and uphold Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union, which enshrines values like democracy and the rule of law. The visit to Spain is particularly significant given the recent discussions within the LIBE Committee regarding judicial reforms and media freedoms in the country.