The Council of Europe Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) has published two follow-up reports assessing Spain’s compliance with its recommendations to prevent corruption in respect of top executive functions of the central government, law enforcement agencies, parliamentarians, judges and prosecutors.
In a compliance report adopted in December 2023, GRECO concluded that Spain had not yet fully implemented any of the recommendations it issued to the country in 2019 to prevent corruption and promote integrity in top executive functions of the central government and the law enforcement agencies (Policía Nacional and Guardia Civil). Of the outstanding recommendations, it had partly implemented 13 recommendations and had not yet implemented six.
Due to the poor implementation of its recommendations, GRECO placed Spain under its 5th evaluation round non-compliance procedure and asked the authorities to report on the progress to comply with them by 31 December 2024. The corresponding follow-up report will be considered by GRECO at its 100th plenary session (Strasbourg, 2-5 June 2025).
The report welcomed the adoption of a holistic integrity framework (SIAGE) for the central administration based on risk assessment, code of ethics, integrity and conflict of interest provisions, training, internal reporting channels, quality management and an evaluation process.
However, GRECO called on the authorities to pay closer attention to the particular situation of top executive functions of the central government (including political advisors) and the specific risk areas of conflicting interests and corruption they face in their work. It found that some elements of the broader integrity reform could cover such risks, but GRECO expected a more tailor-made approach.
GRECO also called for improvements in financial disclosure, lobbying regulation, revolving doors when government officials leave their functions to work in the private sector, and the system for criminal responsibility of government members (so-called aforamiento).
The report welcomed the efforts made by the authorities to advance the implementation of access to information requirements, including through the ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Access to Official Documents. It encouraged the authorities to further progress in this area through anticipated regulatory measures. Additionally, the report called for strengthening the independence and powers of the Office for the Conflict of Interest (Oficina de Conflicto de Intereses) and the Council for Transparency and Good Governance (Consejo de Transparencia y Buen Gobierno).
GRECO acknowledged some progress, although limited, in implementing its recommendations concerning law enforcement agencies. It welcomed the comprehensive initiatives to promote gender equality. However, it stressed the need to improve internal corruption prevention mechanisms, particularly through better assessment and management of risks, vetting/re-vetting processes, the development of a dedicated anti-corruption strategy, the reinforcement of ethical standards, and ensuring transparency, objectivity, and fairness in decision-making processes.
In a follow-up report assessing the implementation of the recommendations issued to Spain in 2013 to prevent corruption in respect of members of parliament, judges and prosecutors, GRECO found no progress in the level of compliance since 2022, when the latest follow-up report was adopted. As of June 2024, when the report published today was adopted, Spain had fully implemented seven recommendations and had partly implemented three recommendations. One recommendation concerning the selection system of the General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ) remained not implemented.
Partly implemented recommendations concern the need to introduce rules on how parliamentarians engage with lobbyists and other third parties who seek to influence the legislative process, and to lay down in law objective criteria and evaluation requirements for appointing the higher ranks of the judiciary. Another partly implemented recommendation addresses the need for further assurances regarding the reinforced independence, transparency and autonomy of the prosecution service.
This follow-up report terminates the 4th round compliance procedure in respect of Spain (parliamentarians, judges and prosecutors).
The reports have been published at the request of the Spanish authorities in accordance with GRECO’s rules of procedure.
Links to the report:
