Former Spanish Prime Minister José María Aznar called for a recovery of political dignity during a speaking engagement in Oviedo [1].

The remarks signal an attempt by the former leader to address the legacy of scandals from his tenure while positioning himself as a voice for institutional reform. By revisiting his past rhetoric, Aznar is engaging with the current friction between Spanish political factions and the judiciary.

Speaking at the Teatro Campoamor during the VI Encuentro Ciudadano de la Fundación Libertad y Desarrollo, Aznar revived his well-known phrase, "el que pueda hacer, que haga" [1, 2]. The phrase, which translates to "he who can do, let him do," has historically been associated with a permissive approach to power and governance [2].

Aznar said the goal is to "recuperar la dignidad de la política" [2]. The appearance comes amid a broader climate of legal volatility in Spain. In separate legal developments, the Attorney General, García Ortiz, faced a two-year disqualification [3] and a fine of 7,200 euros [3].

These legal pressures have prompted reactions from various political figures. Alberto Núñez Feijóo said, "Lo que me sorprende es que si quieren un gobierno limpio, estén sosteniendo al gobierno más corrupto de la historia de nuestro país" [1].

Aznar used the forum to reflect on the necessity of moving past the scandals of his own mandate to promote a new standard for Spanish leadership [2]. He said that the restoration of dignity is essential for the health of the nation's democratic processes [2].

“Recuperar la dignidad de la política.”

Aznar's decision to revive a phrase previously viewed as a justification for unchecked power—while simultaneously calling for political dignity—highlights the deep ideological divide in Spain. By linking his own past scandals to current judicial conflicts involving the Attorney General, Aznar is attempting to frame the current political instability as a systemic failure rather than a partisan one.