Spain's government plans to approve the long-awaited Integrity Law in July. The project includes a new anti-corruption agency and tighter controls on party finances. Parliament will debate the measures after the summer break.
The Spanish government is set to push forward with its anti-corruption agenda by approving the long-delayed Integrity Law in July. This move, confirmed by government sources, aims to accelerate the legislative process after months of political tension and public scrutiny over corruption scandals involving high-profile figures. The law, which incorporates most of the measures announced by Pedro Sánchez a year ago, is expected to be sent to parliament for debate once the summer recess ends.
The draft law was initially approved in February, following a period marked by the Ábalos and Cerdán cases and the imprisonment of a former PSOE party official. Since then, pressure has mounted on the executive to deliver concrete action, especially as judicial investigations have intensified around the PSOE and the government. The Socialists have cited the lack of guaranteed parliamentary support as a reason for delays, pointing to the stalled lobby regulation bill as an example of legislative gridlock. However, some parliamentary voices now argue that the process should begin regardless, forcing each party to clarify its stance through their votes.
One of the central features of the new law is the creation of the Agencia Independiente de Integridad Pública, an independent body dedicated to preventing, supervising, and prosecuting corruption. This agency, which was strongly advocated by Sumar, will consolidate the functions of several existing state bodies, including the Office of Conflict of Interest, the Independent Whistleblower Protection Authority, and the National Anti-Fraud Coordination Service. The agency will have the authority to launch investigations, oversee compliance with key regulations on public procurement, lobbying, conflicts of interest, and accountability, and implement protection mechanisms for whistleblowers.
To establish the agency, the government will need to amend up to six organic laws. Notably, the general penitentiary law will be changed so that those convicted of corruption who fail to repay illicit gains cannot progress to a lower prison grade. Even in cases of insolvency, sentences must be served in full unless financial restitution is made. Previously, courts had discretion to decide on such matters after investigating asset concealment or insolvency. The law also introduces random wealth checks for senior officials and upgrades the public procurement portal with new digital tools to enhance oversight of party financing and activities.
Party funding rules will become significantly stricter. The maximum disqualification period for companies found guilty of corruption will rise from 15 to 20 years, and a public blacklist of such companies will be created. All ownership changes must be traceable in the Mercantile Registry. Transparency requirements for political donations will tighten, with the threshold for publishing individual donations dropping from €25,000 to €2,500. Political organizations that fail to report donations within a month will face doubled penalties, and external, independent audits of party accounts will become mandatory.
These reforms come amid broader debates on government transparency and the effectiveness of anti-corruption measures in Spain. The issue of political influence and lobbying has been highlighted in other recent cases, such as the state bailout for Tubos Reunidos, where political pressure played a decisive role in shifting government decisions. The new Integrity Law is intended to address such concerns by centralizing oversight and increasing accountability across public institutions and political parties.
Spain has faced repeated calls from both domestic and European bodies to strengthen its anti-corruption framework. According to the European Commission, effective enforcement and independent oversight remain key challenges. The planned agency and legislative changes are designed to bring Spain closer to EU standards and restore public trust in political institutions. If approved, the law could mark a significant shift in how corruption cases are handled and how political financing is monitored in the country.
