Who is Nacho Sánchez Amor? European Parliament's Turkey Rapporteur's Age and Background

Nacho Sánchez Amor, the European Parliament's rapporteur on Turkey, is under scrutiny following his critical remarks on the multiple court cases faced by Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on the same day. Amor, who has been a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) since the 2019 elections, took over the role of Turkey rapporteur from Kati Piri. His mandate involves monitoring and reporting on Turkey's progress in areas such as democratization, human rights, and the rule of law, as well as its relationship with the European Union.

Born in Cáceres, Spain, on May 15, 1960, Amor's political career began in 1977 when he joined the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE). He studied law at Complutense University of Madrid, graduating in 1984. His early career included roles as a research assistant and legal advisor within the Spanish government and the regional government of Extremadura. From 1989 to 2007, he was responsible for the Extremadura regional government's relations with the European Union and Portugal, strengthening ties with European institutions.

In addition to his role as Turkey rapporteur, Amor is a member of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly delegation. Since 2024, he has also served as the Coordinator for the Group of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) in the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs. His recent comments on İmamoğlu's legal challenges highlight the ongoing concerns within the EU regarding the judicial system and democratic processes in Turkey.