Spain slammed by Greco for lack of progress in tackling corruption

In an interim report published yesterday, the Group of States Against Corruption (Greco) concluded that Spain had made only “limited progress” in implementing the measures, a level of compliance that is “globally unsatisfactory”. And it warned that Spanish parliamentarians should make public any gifts they receive and trips they are offered, as well as revealing details about their financial circumstances – recommendations that have never been met.

Greco has been conducting a series of “evaluation rounds” since 2005 to analyse countries’ compliance with moves to battle corruption. Its fourth round studied members of national parliaments and the judiciary.

It concluded: “None of the 11 recommendations contained in the Fourth Round Evaluation Report has been implemented satisfactorily or dealt with in a satisfactory manner by Spain.

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“Seven recommendations have been partly implemented; four recommendations have not been implemented … While Greco understands that election results led to a political deadlock of over a year (2015-2016) rendering very difficult effective reform, that period is now well passed and determined action must follow not only in words and plans, but also in actual deeds.

“With respect to parliamentarians, several recommendations await implementation including the adoption of a code of conduct in both Houses, a thorough review of the financial disclosure regime and the establishment of an enforcement mechanism when misconduct occurs.

“It would appear that a draft on lobbying is now underway; this is a promising development and a step forward to enhance transparency on how parliamentarians engage with lobbyists and other third parties who seek to influence the legislative process.”

Spain now has a year – until December 31 – to explain to Greco what it has done to enhance the prevention of corruption in legislative and judicial areas. It wants more information about individuals’ economic and financial interests, such as the value of properties and vehicles, the companies in which they have shares, information about gifts and travel and income from their complementary activities.

Greco’s interim report came as international observers at the December 21 Catalan election found that campaign coverage by some Spanish media was not neutral. Twelve people from the Democracy Volunteers group split into four teams to analyse almost two dozen randomly selected media during the election campaign.

They said newspapers such as La Razón supported the campaign for unionism “with enthusiasm”, reflecting the almost “complete negativity” towards Catalan independence found in the Madrid press they examined.

“At this early stage of the research the figures are indicative rather than conclusive but there is considerable indication that the Madrid press, most notably El Periodico and El Pais, have not helped contribute to a fair reflection of the debate in Catalonia for the election,” they found.

The British group said the Spanish public television channels TV1 and TV2 were “heavily pro-union, if not to the degree that the newspapers are”. Only TV3 showed “proportional coverage with balance between the two sides of the independence debate”, they said, adding: “The newly created Catalan News online TV station coded as being neutral but this was because of the content being primarily from party events during the election.

“The stories the station chose were, however, heavily weighted in the direction of the independence movement and its candidates.”

The observers also studied radio output, noting that Catalunya Radio had been criticised by Madrid for apparently breaching impartiality conditions.

However, they added: “It does seem that Catalunya Radio is more supportive of independence – the national Spanish radio station RNE seemed biased against independence, if not to the same degree.”