Government sends law against corruption in public procurement to Congress

Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of Spain’s opposition Popular Party (PP), delivered a speech this Wednesday at the party's national headquarters, outlining his vision for the country ahead of the summer political break. He declared Spain has entered a countdown for change, but his address focused heavily on criticizing Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and the alleged corruption within the current government. Feijóo did not clearly outline what kind of country he intends to build, instead emphasizing the need for institutional integrity, restoring functionality to the nation, and ensuring work is valued. Feijóo structured his remarks around three main themes: restoring dignity to institutions, getting the country back on track, and making sure hard work pays off. However, while he was very specific in accusing individuals and predicting future judicial outcomes involving Sánchez, he remained vague about how a potential PP-led government would tackle major issues facing Spain or resolve internal contradictions within his own party. The leader of the PP devoted a large portion of his initial remarks to portraying corruption as the defining feature of the current government. He listed ongoing investigations, identified individuals under scrutiny, and claimed that corruption had reached the heart of the state. He labeled Sánchez as the "Mr. X" and the "political nexus of corruption," asserting that former President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero could not have committed crimes without the support of the current administration. Feijóo did not stop at demanding political accountability. He anticipated upcoming judicial events yet to occur, mentioned Sánchez's wife, Begoña Gómez, sitting before a jury, and referred to the daughters of Zapatero being in court. He also hinted at possible confessions from investigators and illegal financing of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE). "Sánchez deserves nothing less than the severest electoral punishment because he has been a disaster for this country," he stated. This level of detail and firmness contrasts with the ambiguity surrounding his promise of a "thorough cleansing," even when asked directly about specific proposals for regeneration. "It won't be a handover, it will be a complete cleaning," he simply asserted. Feijóo did not examine the internal standards of his party. His speech did not include an assessment of the PP's response to controversies, investigations, or political responsibilities affecting its leaders. Former Valencian president Carlos Mazón, who still holds his seat in the regional parliament, was not mentioned, and Móstoles mayor Manuel Bautista was only referenced during the question-and-answer session. "In this house, there is an open information file. And the party in the Community of Madrid has a position trusting in his innocence. We'll see what the courts say," Feijóo remarked. He did not explain what criteria he would use to demand resignations within the PP nor whether they would be the same as those demanded for the PSOE. Feijóo dedicated a significant portion of his speech to defending the idea that "work should be worth it." He spoke about rising food prices, loss of purchasing power, multiple employment, real wages, and the situation of young people. He also criticized tax pressure, public spending, productivity, and workplace absenteeism, which directly affect millions of workers. However, the problem arises when looking for solutions. Following the controversy over sick leave, Feijóo merely noted that "workplace absenteeism is concerning" and that "today it is more than double what we had in 2018." According to official data, 1.6 million people do not go to work every day. Most of them do so because they have a certified medical leave (80% according to Randstad) or are enjoying The Government sends the anti-corruption law to Congress The Council of Ministers approved Tuesday to send to Congress the draft organic law on public integrity, a regulation aimed at preventing corruption in public procurement, detecting such practices, and punishing them more severely. During the press conference on the year-end political review, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez recalled that the law creates an independent agency for public integrity and expressed confidence that parliamentary groups would have the "vision and willingness to dialogue" required by the moment to approve it. The initiative is part of the national anti-corruption plan announced by Sánchez last July after appearing before the lower house to address the Koldo case and following the arrest of former PSOE Secretary of Organization Santos Cerdán. According to Sánchez, who highlighted the advice of the OECD in designing the text, after approving the preliminary draft in February, contributions from state and autonomous agencies and also from civil society were incorporated into the law. The bill modifies six organic laws and toughens penalties applicable, extends the statute of limitations for certain crimes from five to seven years, strengthens the evaluation of economic compensation to access the third degree, and improves tools for locating, preserving, and seizing assets. Among the laws modified to promote good practices, those affecting the electoral regime, party funding, the penal system, the judiciary, and data protection stand out, along with several articles of the Criminal Code, aiming to develop "a culture of integrity" throughout all administrations. Regarding party funding, the law states that political parties cannot finance themselves through cryptocurrencies and reinforces restrictions and controls on funding coming from foreign governments, organizations, entities, or companies linked to them. Another novelty will be the inability to accept free advertising on social networks, and the rules governing advertising for donations or contributions will be revised. Internal audit units will gain greater weight, with the General State Audit Office (IGAE) overseeing them. Commercial companies, public contracting, and party funding are the three areas highlighted to strengthen control and prevention of corruption through new publicity systems to know their activities in detail. In the business sector, efforts will be made to identify who leads these companies or how share transfers have occurred, as they sometimes lack sufficient registry publicity. Regarding public contracts, measures such as centralized contracting, standard tenders, standardized procedures, or more professionalized contracting tables will be encouraged. Another notable innovation is the implementation of citizen audits on public management. Sánchez says his wife and brother are victims of a "political case" in which PP and Vox are participants. The Independent Agency for Public Integrity will be the cornerstone of this new system, integrating services previously scattered in the National Fraud Coordination Service of IGAE, the Independent Whistleblower Protection Authority, and the Office of Conflicts of Interest. To emphasize its independence, its head will be selected through a public call, and a reinforced majority in the Congress will be required to confirm it. Whistleblower protection will be a key area, ensuring that those who alert about potentially fraudulent practices are safeguarded. Spain reaches its worst-ever corruption ranking under Sánchez Under Sánchez, Spain has sunk to its worst-ever position in the corruption rankings. The Government has submitted to Congress the Organic Law on Public Integrity, aimed at combating corruption in public procurement. The law establishes an independent agency for public integrity and includes measures to prevent and punish corrupt practices more severely. It modifies six organic laws and increases penalties for certain crimes. The law also introduces stricter controls on political party funding and enhances protections for whistleblowers. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez emphasized the importance of the law, highlighting the involvement of international organizations like the OECD in its design. The law aims to create a culture of integrity across all levels of government and includes provisions to improve transparency in public contracts and company ownership. Sánchez defended the law as necessary to combat corruption and restore trust in public institutions. He also addressed concerns about the impact of the law on political parties, stating that they must adhere to strict financial regulations and avoid using cryptocurrencies for funding. The law has sparked debate among political figures, with some arguing that it is a necessary step toward greater transparency and others questioning its effectiveness. As the law moves forward, its implementation and impact on Spain's fight against corruption remain to be seen.