Spain slammed for dragging its feet on corruption crackdown: EU watchdog blasts ‘unsatisfactory’ progress
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Spain has come under fire from the Council of Europe’s top anti-corruption body for failing to clean up its act – despite years of warnings and mounting pressure to get serious about political integrity.
In a damning follow-up report published this week, the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) strongly criticised the Spanish government for leaving key anti-corruption reforms ‘pending’, accusing Pedro Sánchez’s administration of not complying with the watchdog’s long-standing recommendations.
Nineteen strikes and you’re still out
Back in June 2024, GRECO issued 19 recommendations as part of its fifth-round evaluation to boost transparency and curb corruption in Spain. Fast forward to April 2025, and not one has been fully implemented. Not even partially. The group’s verdict? ‘Unsatisfactory.’
In particular, the report takes aim at the current government’s failure to introduce long-promised legislation to regulate lobbying and interactions between MPs and third parties trying to influence laws behind closed doors.
Spain’s lobbying law still in limbo
GRECO has repeatedly urged Spain to bring in clear rules governing how lobbyists interact with lawmakers. While some measures to improve transparency in Parliament have been adopted over the years, a full law on lobbying remains nowhere to be seen.
Worse still, GRECO notes ‘large discrepancies’ in how MPs handle transparency rules. Despite being legally obliged to publish their official agendas – including meetings with lobbyists – less than 10% of MPs actually do so, according to a 2023 report by Parliament’s own Office of Conflicts of Interest.
And since the original report came out in 2024? Not much has changed, according to the EU watchdog. The 2025 follow-up report has reminded lawmakers of their duty to disclose meetings with special interest groups. But Spain, says GRECO, has failed to report ‘any new developments’ or progress.
Police and Guardia Civil left exposed?
It’s not just Parliament getting heat.
GRECO also slammed Spain’s top security forces – the Policía Nacional and the Guardia Civil – for failing to adopt anti-corruption strategies. Back in 2024, the watchdog recommended both forces carry out a full risk assessment of corruption-prone areas and activities and put together integrity plans. Those plans are still MIA.
The Guardia Civil ‘is working on it,’ GRECO acknowledges, but again, no actual anti-corruption plan has been rolled out. Still, it’s not all bleak. The Council of Europe did welcome reports of ‘good cooperation’ between the internal affairs units of both police forces. But when it comes to action, GRECO’s patience is clearly wearing thin. Things seem to be moving very slowly.
A polite but pointed slap on the wrist
In typically diplomatic tones, GRECO urged Spanish authorities to take ‘more determined action.’ But the subtext is clear: Spain has been dragging its heels for too long.
With trust in political institutions already fraying at the edges, the message from Europe is unmistakable – when it comes to cleaning up politics, Spain has got to stop talking the talk and start walking the walk.
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