Spain Advances in Anti-Corruption Efforts Following GRECO Recommendations
Spain makes strides in implementing GRECO's anti-corruption recommendations.
Key Points
- • Spain has partially fulfilled 16 of 19 GRECO recommendations on corruption prevention.
- • Recent initiatives include a lobbying regulation law and the Action Plan for Democracy.
- • The government presented the State Anti-Corruption Plan to the Council of Europe.
- • Key advances include the Transparency and Integrity Law and integrity systems for security forces.
Spain is showing notable progress in addressing corruption, as reported by the Group of States Against Corruption (GRECO). According to the latest findings, the nation has partially fulfilled 16 out of 19 recommendations from GRECO, marking an improvement from previous reviews. This is a significant development considering Spain's initial evaluation by GRECO in 2017, which criticized the country's inadequate anti-corruption measures.
Recent governmental initiatives reflect this commitment, including the Action Plan for Democracy, a law regulating lobbying activities, and a draft law aimed at improving open administration. These actions are part of Spain's broader effort to bolster institutional integrity and transparency. Notably, the government has also introduced a State Anti-Corruption Plan to the Council of Europe, which integrates suggestions from GRECO, the OECD, and the European Commission.
The report emphasizes that 8 out of 10 integrity-related recommendations have been partially realized, highlighting the approval of a Transparency and Integrity Law for interest groups. This law requires a registry and sets obligations for lobbyists as well as penalties for transgressions. Furthermore, measures are being taken to curb 'revolving doors' that allow public officials to transition easily into private sector roles.
In terms of security forces, the assessment indicates that 8 out of 9 recommendations have been partially addressed, pointing to advancements such as the implementation of the Integrity System of the Civil Guard.
Overall, Spain's latest efforts demonstrate a significant commitment to enhancing corruption prevention and improving accountability within its institutions.