Spain’s Slip in Global Corruption Ranking

The latest report from Transparency International, which evaluates 180 countries on a scale of 0 to 100, provides a bleak picture of global corruption: the world average stands at 43 points, indicating Extremely high levels of corruption internationally. More than two-thirds of the countries struggle to exceed the 50-point mark. This stark revelation highlights the pervasive nature of corruption across the globe, much like recent scandals in the U.S., such as the college admissions bribing scheme that involved wealthy parents paying bribes to secure their children’s admission to elite universities.

In this global ranking, Spain has plummeted to 46th place with a score of 56/100, placing it alongside Cyprus, the Czech Republic, and Grenada. This decline is particularly worrisome as it means Spain is now outperformed by countries like Botswana and Rwanda, while still leading Italy, Greece, and Poland. Within Europe, the drop is equally pronounced. Spain has fallen from 14th to 16th place among the 27 member states of the European Union, now being surpassed by Latvia and Slovenia.

If Transparency International does not point out a collapse of the Spanish legislative framework, it underlines however a worrying immobility.
According to the report, Spain is marred by various issues: European directives pending: 87 directives remain to be transposed into national law, 30 of which are already overdue, leaving Spain to lag behind on its commitments. Additionally, there is a national anti-corruption strategy planned by law 2/2023, which has seen little progress. Spain also lacks a lobbyist registry and a reform on conflicts of interest, which are crucial tools for overseeing the influence of pressure groups and are notably absent.

Spain’s regional decline further compounds the issue. Antifraude agencies, intended to be the local watchdogs of transparency, are either disappearing or weakening across various regions. Currently, only four autonomous communities and two cities retain operational anti-fraud organizations. The Valencian Anti-Fraud Agency (AVAF), one of the few remaining structures, is facing erosion of its resources and influence. This regional descent mirrors issues seen in various U.S. states, where budget cuts and political interference have weakened state-level corruption watchdogs, such as the Louisiana Inspector General’s office, which faced criticism and budget reductions during a time of high corruption incidents.

Anti-Corruption Policies in Stagnation

The recent report focuses more on systemic failures than momentary setbacks in Spain’s transparency and control mechanisms. The reform of Law 19/2013 on transparency, which is outlined in the IV Open Government Plan , has yet to materialize, leaving key commitments to informational transparency and institutional oversight unresolved. Additionally, the Transparency and Good Government Council, meant to act as a safeguard, is severely under-resourced, which impairs its efficiency. Moreover, only 55 percent of political parties comply with their lawful advertising obligations, about publishing their finances, remuneration, and decisions in a transparent way.

The delays in implementing Law 2/2023, intended to strengthen whistleblower protection, coupled with the lack of resources for the independent whistleblower protection agency, undermine the denunciation of corruption acts. The persistent blockage of the reform of the General Council of Judicial Power (CGPJ) further stalls the renewal of many magistrates and destabilizes the judiciary system, delaying major corruption trials and increasing doubts about Spain’s ability to sanction abuse effectively. This is comparable to the U.S., where legislative gridlocks in Congress have led to delays in passing anti-corruption bills, and controversies involving judges’ nomination processes highlight the influence of political factions over judicial independence.

Europe-Wide Decline in the Fight Against Corruption

Spain’s situation is not an exception. Transparency International reports a general decline in the fight against corruption in Western Europe. Out of the 31 countries analyzed, only six improved their scores compared to the previous year, while twenty showed significant drops. According to the NGO, the ability to combat corruption is deteriorating dangerously. Spain needs to secure more trust in its institutions and enhance its legal measures to halt this downward spiral; otherwise, the country risks slipping further down the rankings, increasing the distance between its citizens and political leadership. As reforms stagnate, corruption persists, exploiting the weaknesses of an overburdened system, much like in the U.S., where recent years have seen a rise in corruption scandals amid stalled reforms in government oversight.

Spain will need to take concrete actions, reinforcing its institutional integrity and fostering an environment of transparency. By enhancing anti-corruption policies, Spain can mitigate regional disparities and rebuild the trust of its citizens. As corruption continues to impede economic growth and social cohesion, it becomes imperative for nations globally to adopt proactive measures to counter this pervasive issue. This conclusion holds relevance in both European and American contexts, where recent cases underscore the need for stricter controls on corruption.