Corruption issues in Spain
Last week we were provided with concerns regarding Portugal’s anti-corruption mechanisms, this week we see Spain in the spotlight. The Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) of the Council of Europe noted that “[t]ransparency measures have improved with the entry into force of the Council of Europe Convention on Access to Official Documents on 1 January 2024 in Spain, but GRECO expresses concern regarding the length of response times and public access. Additionally, the Council for Transparency and Good Governance has gained more independence, although its full sanctioning power is still awaiting legislative approval.” The Spanish government, as per this report, has not fully implemented the 19 recommendations made in GRECO’s 2019 evaluation report, and has until 30 June 2026, to address these issues. The most pressing concerns were the lack of transparency and regulation for political advisors, as well as ongoing legal immunity for senior politicians – which are considered loopholes enabling corruption.
Why do reports like this matter? Even though the reports seems like same old, same old, the importance of such reporting is that it reminds everyone that corruption concerns are a public issue, and that the EU values good anti-corruption mechanisms. These reports highlight the areas which should be addressed and provide activists and the public with a clear framework for what has been done and what needs to be done. And, with a deadline of a little more than a year, this keeps the pressure on the government. It’s good to see these reports, and to remember that they are not simply a box-checking exercise.
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