In a follow-up report on Spain published on Friday 1 August, the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) “notes a lack of decisive action and tangible results regarding the recommendations issued in respect of top executive functions of the central government”.
These conclusions come at a time when the socialist prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, is facing difficulties due to corruption cases involving his entourage and members of his party, while the Spanish Right has been caught up in a scandal that broke in July.
While GRECO acknowledges that improvements have been proposed in the ‘Democracy Action Plan’ and the draft law on administrative transparency, it notes with regret that “their implementation is still outstanding”.
It also condemns “the absence of training for individuals with top executive functions on the Code of Conduct, as well as delays in implementing an integrity strategy”.
GRECO therefore calls for “more systematic action” and asks the Spanish authorities to submit a report on the progress made by 30 June 2026.
In a press release published on 1 August, the Ministry of the Presidency, Justice and Relations with the Cortes highlights the progress made by Spain since 2017, “after two legislatures of inaction”, and expands on the advances represented by the legislative proposals identified by the experts.
It reiterates its “unwavering commitment” alongside GRECO.
Link to the report: https://aeur.eu/f/i36 (Original version in French by Véronique Leblanc)