The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) has introduced a new legislative proposal aimed at combating what it describes as the rise of extremist groups engaging in systematic harassment of artists, journalists, and political opponents. This initiative seeks to amend the rules surrounding the exercise of public prosecution, which the government argues has been misused by far-right organizations for political persecution rather than the pursuit of justice. The proposed law, presented this morning in the Congress of Deputies, aims to curtail the abuse of public prosecution tools by ensuring that such actions are strictly tied to the trial phase rather than the investigative stage. This change is intended to prevent the ongoing leaks of sensitive legal information that could be exploited for political gain. Under the new guidelines, public prosecution will require a demonstrable and significant link to the public interest relevant to the criminal matter at hand. Additionally, the draft legislation seeks to prohibit political parties and affiliated organizations from engaging in public prosecution, thereby limiting the scope of who can bring such actions to individuals with a legitimate interest. The proposal also mandates that any complaints based solely on media reports will be inadmissible in court, aligning with existing Supreme Court doctrine that disallows opening criminal cases based on journalistic content without clear indications of wrongdoing. In a significant shift, the new law would eliminate the criminal offense of insulting religious feelings as defined in the current Penal Code. Judges would also be required to refrain from making political statements, with the potential for disqualification from cases where they have publicly expressed opinions about political parties or related entities. The PSOE justifies these reforms by highlighting the need to counteract the emergence of authoritarian elements that seek to marginalize dissenting voices from public discourse. The party emphasizes that the proposed measures are designed to protect fundamental rights against abusive judicial actions that disproportionately target specific groups, including artists and political activists. Moreover, the legislation mandates changes to the Criminal Procedure Act to further solidify these restrictions, ensuring that only individuals with relevant ties to the public interest can initiate public prosecution. Should this proposal pass, it would also allow courts to require financial guarantees from those pursuing public prosecution, particularly when the prosecution is initiated without the involvement of the state prosecutor. In response to this initiative, the opposition, particularly the Popular Party (PP), has expressed strong criticism. They have likened the actions of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to those of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, suggesting that the PSOE's measures aim to undermine judicial independence. The PP argues that this proposal represents a broader strategy to control the judiciary and stifle corruption investigations, accusing the government of attempting to shield itself from accountability. The Popular Party has warned its parliamentary allies that supporting such reforms could implicate them in the government's alleged efforts to consolidate power and evade scrutiny. They assert that the PSOE's actions signal an intent to limit judicial oversight and promote a culture of impunity. As the legislative process unfolds, the PSOE is poised to advocate for what it deems necessary safeguards against the misuse of legal frameworks by extremist elements while navigating the political backlash from opposition parties. The implications of this proposed law could significantly alter the landscape of public prosecution in Spain, raising important questions about the balance between protecting rights and ensuring accountability within the justice system.