The Spanish government has approved a decree to create a mandatory public register for lobbying groups. The move comes after months of stalled negotiations in Congress. The new measure aims to increase transparency in state administration.
The Spanish government has moved forward with a decree establishing a compulsory public register for lobbying groups, sidestepping a legislative impasse in Congress. The decision, announced after Tuesday’s Council of Ministers meeting, introduces a new framework for tracking and regulating the influence of interest groups on state officials. The measure is set to take effect upon publication in the Boletín Oficial del Estado (BOE), but will still require ratification by Congress within 30 days.
According to government spokesperson and Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saiz, the register will be both public and obligatory for all groups seeking to influence public officials. Saiz explained that the new rules clarify which organizations qualify as interest groups, define their activities, and specify which public employees may be subject to lobbying efforts. The Council of Transparency and Good Governance will oversee the register’s management and governance, ensuring compliance and supervision.
The government’s move comes after repeated attempts to pass a comprehensive lobbying law stalled in Congress due to a lack of cross-party agreement. By opting for a royal decree-law, the executive has accelerated the process, aiming to address long-standing calls for greater transparency in political decision-making. The register is designed to regulate interactions between lobbyists and public officials, making such contacts traceable and subject to oversight.
Spain’s parliament previously took steps to address lobbying transparency in 2020, when both chambers adopted a Code of Conduct in response to recommendations from the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO). That code required deputies and senators to disclose their institutional agendas, including meetings with representatives of interest groups. However, the new register extends these requirements to a broader range of officials and organizations, creating a centralized system at the state level.
The issue of transparency and accountability in government has been a recurring theme in Spanish politics. Recent years have seen increased scrutiny of official interactions and lobbying activities, with public demand for clearer rules and oversight. The new register is expected to provide a more structured approach, but its effectiveness will depend on enforcement and the willingness of all parties to comply. For context, similar tensions between government branches have surfaced in other policy areas, such as the dispute over toll charges between Asturias and Madrid, as detailed in this recent report on regional conflicts over transport policy.
Lobby registers are increasingly common across Europe, with the European Union and several member states implementing their own systems in recent years. These measures are generally aimed at increasing public trust and reducing the risk of undue influence in policymaking. In Spain, the new register marks a significant step toward aligning national standards with broader European practices, though its long-term impact will be shaped by how rigorously it is applied and monitored.
