The Principality dismisses its Director of European Projects MRR due to a court ruling

The Principality of Asturias has dismissed Manuel Antonio Sarachaga García as Director of the European Projects Office MRR of the General Directorate of European Affairs. The decision was adopted by the Department of Finance, Justice and European Affairs through a resolution signed on October 29, 2026, and published in the Official Gazette of the Principality of Asturias (BOPA) no. 212, of November 3, 2026 (Code 2026-09067). The dismissal is issued “in execution of judgment 885/2025, of October 14, 2025,” from the Contentious-Administrative Chamber of the High Court of Justice of Asturias.

The head of the department, Guillermo Peláez Álvarez, signed the resolution based on article 78.1 a), in relation to article 16 d), of the Principality of Asturias Law 2/2023, of March 15, on Public Employment, and thanks the dismissed official for “the services rendered.” The text further orders its publication in the BOPA and notification to the General Directorate of Public Employment.

An annulment of the free appointment system

The executed judgment, issued in ordinary procedure no. 115/2024, upheld the appeal of the association Tribuna de Funcionarios del Cuerpo Superior de Administradores del Principado de Asturias against the Agreement of November 24, 2023, of the Government Council, which modified the job organization instruments (BOPA no. 232, of December 4, 2023, subsequently expanded by orders in 2024 and 2025).

The ruling annuls “for not being in accordance with the law” the provision system for the contested service head positions—specifically, free appointment as the method of filling the vacancy. The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal for cassation and the judgment became final, as recorded in the Agreement of October 23, 2026, of the Government Council published in BOPA no. 211, of October 30, 2026 (Code 2026-08869).

Six service head positions reviewed

The agreement of the Government Council identifies the head positions affected by the ruling:

• Legal Service.
• Government Secretariat.
• Relations with the General Assembly of the Principality of Asturias and Legal Regime.
• General Inspectorate of Services.
• Planning and Organization of Procurement.
• Direction of the European Projects Office.
• Secretariat of the Urbanism and Territorial Planning Commission of the Principality of Asturias.

The modification of the job list aims to ensure that “the annulment of free appointment as a form of provision” for those head positions takes effect.

Three more dismissals on the same day

Along with that of Sarachaga García, the BOPA of November 3 publishes other dismissals derived from the same judgment:

• Noelia Fernández Fernández, Head of Service of the General Service Inspection, dismissed by resolution of October 28, 2026, of the Ministry of Presidency, Demographic Challenge, Equality and Tourism (Code 2026-08987).
• Francisco Javier Álvarez López, Head of Service of Relations with the General Council of the Principality of Asturias and Legal Regime, by resolution of the same ministry and date (Code 2026-08988).
• María José Soto García, Head of the Procurement Planning and Organization Service of the General Directorate of Heritage and Procurement, dismissed by resolution of October 29, 2026, of the Ministry of Finance, Justice and European Affairs (Code 2026-09064).

The three resolutions correspond to the same ordinary procedure no. 115/2024 and express gratitude for the services provided by the dismissed individuals.

Impact

The handover affects the unit that coordinates the European projects identified by the acronym MRR in the regional administration, an area directly linked to the management of European funds in Asturias. The publication confirms that the judicial review of discretionary appointments necessitates an effective reorganization of the administrative leadership of several ministries.

Source: Official Gazette of the Principality of Asturias (BOPA), no. 212, of November 3, 2026, section I. Principality of Asturias – Authorities and Personnel, p. 1 (official reference: Code 2026-09067).