European mission
The visit by a European Parliament delegation to Spain this week focused on how EU funds from the Next Generation EU program are managed, tracked, and reported. The mission evaluated transparency in data releases, sought to reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and called for greater involvement from autonomous communities in spending decisions. The head of the mission, Monika Hohlmeier of the European People’s Party, noted that earlier questions about the allocation of EU funds to Spain may have been misinterpreted, while emphasizing the need for clear, accessible information about fund flows.
Hohlmeier stated that no fraud or violations had been uncovered in the preliminary discussions, adding that this experience is likely to be similar in other countries visited.
The delegation, which began its work in Madrid, included MEPs from Germany, Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Vox from Spain, who participated as observers and contributed to the verification process without shaping the final report. Other members from the European Parliament and representatives from the European Court of Auditors and the European Commission attended as observers.
The first priority on the agenda was meetings with key government figures. The vice president Nadia Kalviño, the minister of finance, and the minister of social security discussed the current systems for monitoring EU funds, including frameworks designed to trace money through its final recipients. The discussions also covered the possibility of more transparency so journalists and the public can access data quickly and easily.
There were talks about streamlining management processes by cutting unnecessary red tape and increasing the involvement of regional communities in designing spending programs.
In a discussion with Nadia Calviño, the topic of embezzlement reform was touched upon, though it was clarified that reform of this crime was not the focus of the visit.
Different assessments
Some participants felt the visit was overly politicized, while others argued that the mission was thorough, technical, and fact-based rather than a political show linked to electoral dynamics. One member from Podemos, Ernest Urtasun, stressed that the goal was to monitor progress and ensure accountability.
Not all MEPs shared the same view on the results. A Spanish Popular Party deputy noted that the exact uses of funds and lists of final beneficiaries remained unclear at the time of the visit, though there was acknowledgment that data are accessible to administrations and control bodies. A socialist deputy emphasized that Spain knows where the money is, and that the Parliament’s Budget Control Committee also seeks clarity. The discussion on embezzlement reform remained outside the agenda, as indicated by the presidents of the commission.
With EU transfers and credit volumes potentially reaching significant totals between 2021 and 2026, Spain stands as a major beneficiary of the program, following Italy. Spain has been proactive in implementing the mechanism, including early fund payments and the continued authorization of subsequent tranches. This on-site inspection marked an important moment in the collaboration between Spain and the European institutions, with the commission planning to extend its oversight to other member states as part of its broader evaluation program.