Ana Gallego: The Grenadine Shaping European Justice
Ana Gallego (1974) describes herself with dual pride as “a Grenadine first and a convinced European jurist second,” bringing three decades of public service experience to her pivotal role as Director General of Justice at the European Commission since 2021. As one of Spain’s most influential figures in EU legal frameworks, Gallego oversees critical rule of law mechanisms affecting 447 million Europeans.
From Granada to Brussels: An Unconventional Path
Gallego’s academic foundation combines legal rigor and linguistic precision – she earned Law and Translation degrees from the University of Granada. Unlike typical EU career officials, she arrived in Brussels through what she humorously calls the “paratrooper” route, transitioning directly from Spain’s Ministry of Justice where she directed International Legal Cooperation (2012-2021).
Her EU preparation began earlier as Justice Minister at Spain’s Permanent Representation to the EU (2010-2012), where she honed skills in legislative transposition and multilateral negotiation. This national-level experience proved invaluable, with Gallego noting: “Understanding member states’ implementation challenges helps craft more effective EU legislation.”
Multidimensional Public Service Career
Gallego’s 25-year public service spans three ministerial domains:
- Justice: International cooperation, gender violence legislation
- Culture: Directed Spain’s Film Archive (ICAA)
- Education: Policy development
This cross-sectoral expertise informs her current work on complex justice-consumer policy intersections. Former colleague María Lledó, Secretary General for Innovation, confirms: “Ana possesses rare operational knowledge across multiple policy domains – crucial for EU-level coordination.”
Guardian of European Values
As head of the 350-person Justice Directorate, Gallego manages critical initiatives:
1. Rule of Law Mechanism: Her team’s annual reports have become essential reading since 2020, particularly regarding Poland (37 ongoing infringement procedures) and Hungary (€13.3bn frozen funds). The 2023 edition covered all 27 members – a first signaling increased scrutiny.
2. War Response: Following Russia’s Ukraine invasion, Gallego accelerated work on the International Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group – coordinating evidence collection for potential war crimes prosecutions.
3. Digital Justice: She leads development of the European e-Justice Portal, used by 3.1 million citizens annually for cross-border legal queries.
Personal Approach & Recognition
Colleagues describe Gallego as “legally uncompromising but politically pragmatic,” balancing Commissioner Didier Reynders’ vision with technical realities. Her leadership style emphasizes:
- Direct engagement with national justice ministers
- Technical workshops for non-EU experts
- Mentoring young female jurists
The Commission specifically highlighted her “advanced negotiation skills” when appointing her – capabilities tested during tense negotiations on the Digital Services Act and AI Act.
Strategic Influence in the EU Ecosystem
Gallego ranks among Spain’s most impactful EU officials alongside:
Alberto de Gregorio: Newly appointed Director General of Legal Service (September 2023)
Their combined legal oversight spans:
| Area | Gallego | De Gregorio |
|---|---|---|
| Policy Development | ✓ | |
| Legislative Review | ✓ | ✓ |
| Infringement Cases | ✓ |
With the Justice Directorate’s budget growing 18% to €786 million for 2021-2027, Gallego’s strategic position continues strengthening. As she recently noted: “Legal frameworks must evolve faster than threats to our democratic foundations.”
Her ongoing priorities include implementing the Digital Rights and Principles Declaration (signed December 2022) and preparing the 2024 Rule of Law Report – both critical for maintaining citizen trust as elections approach.
Source: Diario de Ibiza profile
Images Credit: www.diariodeibiza.es