The first day of the delegation’s visit to Spain focused on Budget Control within the European Parliament, and for the moment, there is no trace of the suspicions directed at the Spanish government. The discussion centers on the transparency of Next Generation EU funds and where bailout resources are being directed. Monika Hohlmeier, a German member of the European People’s Party, has repeatedly questioned whether Spain’s administration is fully transparent about European funds. A separate issue involved a letter that was reportedly leaked to the press by Spain’s vice president Nadia Calviño, contributing to a tense atmosphere between the Parliament’s mission and Spanish authorities. On Monday morning Calviño stated that deputies from the Spanish European Parliament, including those from the PP and Vox, would visit Spain for three days to assess the management of EU funds. This visit is intended to scrutinize how recovery funds are tracked and spent across the country.
Yet the mood began to shift. An official summary notes that the tone of the talks was constructive. An hour and a half of discussion between Calviño and Hohlmeier, along with other European Parliament representatives, suggested that Hohlmeier’s questions focused on fund controls rather than alleging malfeasance. A subsequent statement from the Ministry of Economy described the meeting as sincere and constructive, emphasizing openness to rigorous oversight and transparency.
According to the ministry, Spain has provided detailed information about substantial allocations of European funds and pledged full cooperation to support robust controls. They noted that €23.3 billion has already been allocated for calls and tenders, supporting more than 190,000 projects. This update was shared in an official briefing as part of ongoing oversight activities.
“Neither the men in black nor the troika”
The Budget Control delegation visiting Spain includes German representatives such as Monika Hohlmeier (European People’s Party) and Jose Manuel Fernandes, along with Spain’s Isabella Garcia (PSOE) and Caterina Chinnici (Italy), as well as Jorge Buxade (Vox). Additional observers from European SAI and the European Commission accompany them, ensuring a broad set of perspectives while preparing the final report. The group is keen to demonstrate that the aim is transparent monitoring rather than any punitive oversight. They are clear that the approach is about examining absorption of Recovery funds and ensuring that money flows to all Spaniards and Europeans with accountability and sound governance.
The delegation chose Spain as the starting point because it has accessed the most comprehensive tranche of Next Generation EU funding this year and has a high level of European support in the distribution of funds. Calviño described the mission as a natural step given Spain’s early disbursements and the Parliament’s broader mandate to oversee the European Commission’s budget implementation, rather than to police individual governments.
Criticism of CHP council members
During the first day, the European Parliament mission held meetings with regional councilors representing Madrid (PP), Andalusia (PP), Castile-La Mancha (PSOE), Aragon (PSOE), and Extremadura (PSEE). One participant, Javier Fernández-Lasquetty, explained to Hohlmeier that the current joint management system with the autonomies faces challenges. He suggested that the government aims to centralize control, which can slow down decision-making and limit visible results in Spain. Socialist councilors emphasized the transformative potential of European funds and the importance of effective deployment.
Meetings with business representatives from the CEOE, the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, and ANFAC underscored the need for greater flexibility, speed, and ease of access in managing recovery funds. After Day One, one European Parliament member summarized a generally favorable initial read on how European funds are being deployed in Spain, while acknowledging room for improvements in administration and oversight.