Justice minister presents first list of reforms

Wednesday, 01 February 2012 10:20

Written by Editor

Justice minister Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón (pictured)revealed a series of proposed legal reforms during his first appearance in parliament last week, which were not entirely unexpected. They included a modification of the abortion law passed by the previous Socialist government to eliminate a controversial clause allowing minors aged 16 to 18 to seek abortions without their parents' consent.

The minister also wants to raise the charges for court appeals. Other proposed reforms include what the minister called “reviewable life sentences” in response to a growing demand for life sentences to really mean that rather than a maximum of 20 years, a change in the system used to elect members of the General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ), reforms to the Minors' Law and the introduction of a system of revisable detention that equates to a form of whole-life sentence. A modification of the same-sex marriage law was not on the minister's list, leaving open the question of whether or not Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who is opposed to single-sex unions, plans to revoke the law entirely.

Gallardón said he would seek consensus on the reforms, but with its absolute majority, the PP will be able to push them through.