Sánchez extends the parity law to constitutional bodies: from the Constitutional Court to the Judiciary

The Council of Ministers approved in the first round, last March, the draft law on equal representation between men and women, which will impose the presence of at least 40% of women in all major political and economic decision-making bodies, from the Government itself to the boards of directors of the main companies.

Oliver Thansan
Oliver Thansan
22 May 2023 Monday 16:21
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Sánchez extends the parity law to constitutional bodies: from the Constitutional Court to the Judiciary

The Council of Ministers approved in the first round, last March, the draft law on equal representation between men and women, which will impose the presence of at least 40% of women in all major political and economic decision-making bodies, from the Government itself to the boards of directors of the main companies. But Pedro Sánchez has announced this Monday, during the rally that he has staged in Santander before 2,000 supporters, that he will extend the scope of application of this rule to the constitutional bodies of the State, from the Constitutional Court (TC) to the General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ), where the presence of women continues to be very minority. The head of the Executive has defended parity in economic power and political power: "Some will say that it is excessive, we say that it is fair", he warned.

The Council of Ministers will thus approve at its meeting tomorrow, in the second and final round, the first Law on Equal Representation and Balanced Presence of Men and Women in Decision Bodies, which will also affect the constitutional bodies of the State. The norm, therefore, will also force the constitutional bodies of the State to have equal representation. Once the bill is approved by the Government, it will begin its parliamentary process. Despite the tight times, already in the final stretch of the legislature, the Executive is confident of having broad support from the groups, which will also allow urgent parliamentary processing.

Among the novelties incorporated into the text, in this second round in the Government, it stands out that it will affect constitutional and institutionally relevant bodies. That is, the Constitutional Court, the Council of State, the Court of Accounts, the Fiscal Council and the General Council of the Judiciary.

In addition, the bodies in charge of ensuring compliance with the obligations of equal representation in listed companies and public interest entities will be the CNMV and the Women's Institute, respectively.

The new norm, as already established, will require that there be a presence of at least 40% of women in the Government, the boards of directors of large companies, electoral candidacies, through rack lists, professional associations and juries of public recognition.