A majority of Spaniards believe politically motivated legal action, commonly referred to as ‘lawfare’, exists in Spain, according to new survey published at a time when Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s socialist (PSOE) government is facing a series of high-profile corruption investigations.
A survey carried out by 40dB for El País and Cadena SER found that 65.4% of respondents believe lawfare is taking place in Spain, reflecting growing public concern over the relationship between politics and the country’s judicial system.
The poll also revealed widespread scepticism about the impartiality of the courts. More than a third of respondents (34.1%) believe judges generally favour the political right, while 16.3% think they lean towards the left.
Only 27% regard judges as politically impartial, while a separate finding from the same study showed that just 32.2% believe judicial decisions in politically sensitive cases are usually ‘fair and impartial’.
The concept of lawfare has become an increasingly prominent feature of Spanish political debate as judicial investigations involving senior political figures dominate headlines. Although the term has no formal legal definition in Spain, it combines the English words ‘law’ and ‘warfare’ and is generally used to describe the alleged strategic use of legal proceedings to damage political opponents rather than simply investigate possible crimes.
The idea first gained prominence in academic and political circles in Latin America before spreading to Europe. Supporters of the concept argue that certain judicial investigations can be used to influence public opinion, distort political competition or shape institutional decisions. ALSO READ: Smear campaigns & ‘mafia practices’ – the alleged corruption saga against Spain’s PM rolls on.
Critics, however, contend that accusations of lawfare are often deployed to undermine the credibility of judges, prosecutors and law enforcement authorities carrying out legitimate investigations.
The debate has intensified in recent months as several politically sensitive cases have unfolded simultaneously. Government ministers and PSOE officials have repeatedly argued that investigations involving figures close to the executive amount to the ‘judicialisation’ of politics. ALSO READ: Pedro Sánchez: ‘There are judges doing politics and politicians trying to do justice’.
Opposition parties, led by the right-wing People’s Party (PP) and supported by the far-right Vox party, reject that interpretation, insisting that the investigations reflect the independent functioning of Spain’s justice system and accusing the government of attempting to discredit the courts. ALSO READ: ‘Mafia or Democracy’ – tens of thousands join PP’s 6th anti-government rally in Madrid.
Among the investigations fuelling the controversy are the inquiry into Begoña Gómez, the prime minister’s wife; proceedings involving State Attorney General Álvaro García Ortiz; judicial investigations concerning former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero and the 2021 state bailout of the small airline Plus Ultra; and the National Court’s investigation into PSOE activist Leire Díez. While each case differs in its legal basis and procedural stage, all have become central to the wider political argument over whether lawfare exists in Spain.
The 40dB survey also highlighted significant differences in public awareness of corruption cases depending on the political party involved. ALSO READ: Pedro Sánchez rejects claims of ‘widespread corruption’ amid growing pressure on government.
The investigation involving former PM Zapatero was the best known, with around 64% of respondents saying they were well informed about it. ALSO READ: Ex-Spanish prime minister challenges legality of corruption probe.
A similar proportion (60.2%) said they were familiar with the conviction of former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos. ALSO READ: Spain’s ex-transport minister sentenced to 24 years as corruption pressure mounts on government.
Allegations involving Begoña Gómez were recognised by 59.9% of respondents. ALSO READ: Spanish PM’s wife ordered to stand trial on corruption charges and surrender passport.
Meanwhile, 51.3 % said they were aware of proceedings concerning the prime minister’s brother, David Sánchez. ALSO READ: Trial of Spanish PM’s brother concludes amid wider corruption scrutiny.
By contrast, corruption cases linked to the right-wing PP were less widely recognised. ALSO READ: People’s Party now hit by alleged corruption scandal surrounding former finance minister.
Fewer than half of those surveyed (48.8%) were familiar with the investigation into the partner of Madrid regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso. ALSO READ: Partner of Madrid regional leader Ayuso faces alleged tax fraud probe.
Meanwhile only 35% knew about the long-running Kitchen case, a major corruption scandal connected to the previous PP government. ALSO READ: Former Spanish PM Rajoy dismisses ‘absolutely false’ claims in surveillance scandal trial.
The findings point to a broader erosion of public confidence in the justice system. Separate polling by Ipsos for La Vanguardia also suggests widespread doubts over judicial neutrality, with almost six in ten Spaniards saying they believe some judges actively engage in politics, while only 41% think that most judges act impartially.
Together, the surveys underline how the debate over lawfare has evolved beyond a political slogan into a wider discussion about judicial independence, public trust in the courts, the role of prosecutors and security forces, and the increasingly blurred line between politics and the legal system in Spain. ALSO READ: Spanish judge to question Guardia Civil chief and deputy over meetings with PSOE activist.
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A los españoles les cuesta confiar en su sistema judicial en un momento en el que los tribunales acaparan la agenda por la acumulación de escándalos de corrupción. La mayoría (82%) piensa que la Justicia es “demasiado lenta” y poco independiente https://t.co/3ATZhkxzxX
— EL PAÍS (@el_pais) July 6, 2026
📊 SONDEO 40dB. | Seis de cada diez españoles creen que el ‘lawfare’ existe y que los jueces se dejan influir por su ideología políticahttps://t.co/kGOO4BaZSB
— Cadena SER (@La_SER) July 6, 2026
Por @Glruf
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