The Council of Europe has expressed significant concern regarding Spain's inadequate response to political corruption. In a recent report, the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) highlighted that Spain has failed to implement 19 essential anti-corruption recommendations made in 2019. Central issues include a lack of transparency surrounding political advisors and the continued legal immunity granted to senior politicians. This criticism places additional pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's administration, which is already grappling with corruption allegations linked to family members and former officials.
The report underscores the urgent need for decisive action. GRECO pointed out that Spain's slow progress in reforming its anti-corruption framework is troubling. While there have been some developments, critical areas remain untouched, particularly concerning the aforamiento system, which shields politicians from legal accountability, and the regulation of lobbying activities. Although the Ley de Administración Abierta aims to enhance transparency, its practical implementation remains uncertain and insufficient.
Moreover, the report emphasizes the necessity of strengthening measures to prevent corruption among public officials. Issues related to 'puertas giratorias'—the revolving door between public office and private sector—require more rigorous oversight, as does the work of the Office of Conflict of Interest. On the ground, both the Policía Nacional and the Guardia Civil have shown inconsistent progress in their anti-corruption efforts, indicating that substantial reform is still needed to effectively combat political corruption in Spain.
