Partial pardon for Laura Borràs 2026: sentence reduced to 2 years and what remains in effect

Key data

Laura Borràs i Castanyer, former president of the Parlament de Catalunya, sees her prison sentence reduced by half thanks to Royal Decree 670/2026, approved by the Council of Ministers on July 28, 2026 and published in the BOE the following day. The original sentence, handed down by the Superior Court of Justice of Catalonia (TSJC) in 2023, amounted to 4 years, 6 months and 1 day of imprisonment for the crimes of document falsification and administrative prevarication.

The decree is based on reasons of justice and equity, according to the processed file. However, the pardon is partial: it only affects the custodial sentence. The disqualification and fine penalties remain unchanged.

What does this regulation establish?

Royal Decree 670/2026 applies the legal figure of partial pardon, regulated in Spain by the Law of June 18, 1870. This measure allows the Government to commute or reduce sentences imposed by final judgment, without eliminating criminal records or all legal consequences of the conviction.

The following table summarizes which sentences are affected and which remain in effect:

The commutation of the prison sentence is subject to a resolutory condition: if Laura Borràs commits a willful crime during the 5 years following publication of the decree (that is, until July 29, 2031), the benefit of the pardon would be revoked and the original sentence would regain its force.

The crimes for which she was convicted are document falsification and administrative prevarication, both committed in the exercise of her public functions. The court that tried them was the Superior Court of Justice of Catalonia (TSJC).

Economic and operational impact

This decree generates no direct economic impact on companies, self-employed workers or productive sectors. It is a measure of grace of a penal and individual nature that affects exclusively the legal situation of a convicted person.

However, from an institutional and political perspective, the measure is relevant to the debate on the use of pardons in Spain, especially when it affects elective public officials convicted of crimes committed in the exercise of their functions. The 9-year disqualification from elective public office, which has not been pardoned, prevents Borràs from running for office or holding positions of popular representation during that period.

The decree does not modify any tax, labor, commercial or administrative rules of general application. It generates no obligations or costs for third parties.

Who does it affect?

• Laura Borràs i Castanyer: sole beneficiary of the pardon. Her prison sentence is reduced from 4 years, 6 months and 1 day to 2 years.
• Catalan and state public institutions: insofar as the decree has implications for the exercise of elective public office, it affects the institutional framework of political representation.
• Legal operators and legal advisors: the decree is relevant as a precedent in the use of partial pardon for crimes of prevarication and document falsification committed by public officials.
• Citizens and entities with an interest in institutional transparency: the debate on the scope of the pardon and its conditions has implications for the accountability of public officials.

Practical example

To illustrate the real scope of the pardon, let us consider Borràs's legal situation before and after the decree:

Before RD 670/2026: Borràs had to serve 4 years, 6 months and 1 day of imprisonment, plus 9 years of disqualification from elective public office and payment of a fine. The sentence was handed down by the TSJC in 2023 for document falsification and administrative prevarication.

After RD 670/2026: The prison sentence is set at 2 years. Given that in Spain prison sentences of up to 2 years for convicted persons without prior convictions may be subject to suspension of sentence, this threshold has practical relevance in the execution of the sentence. However, the 9-year disqualification from elective public office remains in effect, which prevents Borràs from running for office or holding positions of popular representation during that period. The fine must also be paid in full.

The condition of the pardon means that, if between July 29, 2026 and July 29, 2031 a new willful crime is committed, the sentence reduction would become void and the original sentence of 4 years, 6 months and 1 day would be recovered.

What should companies do now?

This decree generates no direct obligations for companies, self-employed workers or professionals. However, if your activity is linked to public procurement, legal advice or institutional regulatory compliance, we recommend:

1. Verify if you have contractual or institutional relationships with persons affected by disqualifications from public office, as these restrictions remain in effect and may affect the validity of certain administrative acts.
2. Consult the full text of the decree in the BOE if you need to certify the criminal or disqualification status of a person in public procurement, concession or appointment processes.
3. Seek advice from a legal professional if you manage public procurement files in which the disqualification of public officials is a criterion for exclusion or incompatibility.
4. Follow regulatory developments: the use of pardons in cases of prevarication may generate case law or future legislative changes relevant to public procurement and the civil service.

Official source

Consult complete regulation at official source

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-16525