30 Jan, 2022 @ 19:00
1 min read

OPINION: Why is Spain still failing when it comes to transparency?

General Franco (1892 1975), Burgos, Spain, C1940s. Artist: Unknown
General Franco (1892-1975), Burgos, Spain, c1940s. ARCHIVE: Cordon Press

THE Olive Press has recently reported on how dismal many of Spain’s town halls are when it comes to transparency.

And now comes the confirmation that Spain is getting worse when it comes to corruption. 

The country has fallen to 34th position in the annual Transparency International poll with just 61 points.

OK, this is a lot better than Sudan on 11 points but way behind New Zealand and Denmark – both with smaller economies than Spain – on 88 points. 

There is no acceptable reason for this. 

Most authorities here are simply stuck in the past when it comes to openness and talking to the public. They actually like secrecy.

It all, of course, links back to the Franco years. The 37 years of dictatorship may have ended some decades back but some regrettable attitudes linger on.

Too often these seem to include ‘just do what you’re told’ and ‘don’t ask questions’.

They also involve an incredibly slow and faceless justice system.

For a modern democracy with the 14th biggest economy in the world it is simply not good enough.

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Jon Clarke (Publisher & Editor)

Jon Clarke is a Londoner who worked at the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday as an investigative journalist before moving permanently to Spain in 2003 where he helped set up the Olive Press. He is the author of three books; Costa Killer, Dining Secrets of Andalucia and My Search for Madeleine.

Do you have a story? Contact newsdesk@theolivepress.es

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