Council of Europe Criticizes Spain's Failure to Address Corruption Reforms
The Council of Europe criticizes Spain for failing to implement anti-corruption reforms, citing a lack of progress since 2019.
Key Points
- • Greco criticizes Spain for inaction on 19 anti-corruption recommendations since 2019.
- • Key issues include control of advisers, legal immunity regulations, and police conduct.
- • The report expresses severe disappointment over the government's lack of progress.
- • Greco urges Spain to demonstrate a genuine commitment to tackling corruption.
The Council of Europe's Group of States against Corruption (Greco) has issued a stark critique of Spain's inaction in implementing anti-corruption reforms. In a recent report, they noted that Spain has not adopted any of the 19 recommendations made to improve transparency and combat corruption, which have remained unaddressed since their initial proposal in 2019.
In its 23-page report released on August 4, 2025, Greco expressed "severe disappointment" regarding the Spanish government's lack of progress. Key areas of concern highlighted in the report include the control of political advisers, the regulation of legal immunities, and the establishment of a disciplinary code for police and civil guards. Greco pointed out that while some recommendations, such as strategies to mitigate conflicts of interest, have been partially addressed, the overall response has been inadequate.
The report specifically mentions unfulfilled recommendations, such as improving transparency measures regarding advisers and implementing a code of conduct for government officials. These omissions have resulted in mounting frustration from Greco, which has been vocal about the need for Spain to intensify its efforts in fulfilling the proposed reforms.
Commenting on the situation, a Greco representative asserted the necessity for Spain to demonstrate a true commitment towards reforming its corruption-prevention framework. The report urges the Spanish government to prioritize these issues and take meaningful action to regain the confidence of the international community.
The continued delay in responding to these recommendations raises concerns not only about Spain's political integrity but also its international standing in governance and accountability. With the Council of Europe calling for decisive actions, Spain finds itself at a critical juncture to address these long-standing issues of corruption.