There are political groups that, while in opposition, level claims at the Ombudsman, arguing that their municipality’s governing teams have erected numerous obstacles to supplying documents and information needed to perform their duties. Valencia’s Ombudsman, Ángel Luna, has stated on multiple occasions that these same groups, once they entered government after new elections, acted in ways they had previously condemned. That contradiction highlights a troubling pattern in local and regional governance. The Ombudsman has long warned that this approach undermines democratic quality and strikes at the heart of transparency and access to public information, the twin pillars of accountable government. When asked about the trend, leaders across the political spectrum—whether governing or in opposition—often say they pursue transparency and that the necessary mechanisms and resources exist to prevent failures. Yet, the real-world practice and the Ombudsman’s reports show a different picture: talk without action, and legislative safeguards that are rarely applied to their full effect.
In certain cases, the phenomenon is even more pronounced. The Ombudsman’s persistent messages, expressed year after year, point to a lack of openness in municipal and regional administrations. Even as parties trumpet their commitment to openness, the daily reality described in official reports reveals persistent barriers to access and slow, incomplete dissemination of information. The legislative framework exists, but its effective enforcement remains inconsistent, leaving essential data out of reach for those who need it to scrutinize governmental actions.
lots of complaints
During a recent Municipal Forum organized by INFORMACIÓN, Luna criticized the chronic lack of transparency displayed by city councils and drew attention to the many complaints from opposition councilors and ordinary citizens about access to public information. “It is unacceptable for medium and large city councils to ignore the basic norms that sustain democratic function, as is the case in Alicante today,” the Ombudsman asserted in a forceful speech that left no one indifferent.
These concerns are echoed in the formal reports prepared by the Ombudsman, including a prominent 2021 submission to the Valencian Courts. In that document, she explicitly urged amendments to Article 128 of the 8th Law of 2010, aiming to regulate direct access for all councilors to documents and information stored in computerized municipal records management systems, while excluding data belonging to individuals that must be protected or withheld. The goal is clear: ensure that elected representatives can access information essential to performing their duties without compromising privacy protections.
Ombudsman attacks municipalities for their lack of transparency
Across her reports and decisions, the Ombudsman advocates for leveraging new technologies and the digitization of governance to promote institutional transparency. The expectation is that digital tools would make information more readily available to the public and to those who need it to hold power accountable. Luna also observed in her writings that in advanced democracies, opposition roles can be demanding for those in power, and therefore institutions should remove the many obstacles that hinder open governance. The overarching message remains: information required by the opposition should be provided promptly.
One recurring concern is that, when a matter is raised, many observers respond with praise for the Ombudsman’s recommendations, yet no sustained action follows. There is a tendency to blame others and overlook the internal practices that hinder transparency within one’s own institutions. As the regional ombudsman notes in closing reflections, leaders bear the responsibility of ensuring that their institutions operate within the rules that govern a healthy democracy and that the necessary checks and balances are genuinely in place.
town halls
What has been the response of the largest municipalities in the province to the Ombudsman’s repeated inquiries and criticisms? In Alicante, Mayor Luis Barcala stated that all public administrations should strive to be more transparent, while Miguel Millana, spokesperson for the main opposition, called out ongoing shortcomings in the city council and framed them as a recurring and serious problem.
In Elche, Mayor Carlos González asserted that transparency has advanced in recent years, even as opposition figures reminded everyone of dozens of prior warnings that criticized the city government’s lack of openness. The opposition leader pointed to what he termed a pattern of insufficient transparency that had not yet been fully addressed. In Torrevieja, the first mayor, Eduardo Dolón, claimed ongoing cooperation with the Ombudsman and other public bodies in the pursuit of information and transparency. Yet, Green Party spokesperson Israel Muñoz argued that access to public files remains constrained and that Torrevieja ranks among the less transparent municipalities in the state.
Mayor Rubén Alfaro of the PSPV highlighted improvements in transparency, cybersecurity, and citizen participation since taking office, a view shared by some opposition voices who concede that progress has occurred, even as they caution that more needs to be done. In Alcoy, the opposition lamented repeated demands for information that had yet to be fully met, underscoring a continuing gap between expectations and reality.
In Benidorm, Mayor Toni Pérez agreed with Luna’s assessment that all institutions must comply with the law and that transparency remains a central issue. Opposition voices in the city argued that public officials and municipal staff share responsibility for maintaining independence and safeguarding assets managed by public administrations. The prevailing sentiment is that democracy deserves active stewardship beyond mere electoral cycles.
There were additional remarks that echoed across the region: the belief that democracy must be nurtured through accessible information and accountable governance, not merely through occasional declarations of intent. The emphasis was on practical, day-to-day transparency, not slogans. The broader call was for a political culture that places citizens and their needs at the center of governance, with a clear commitment to openness that endures beyond political shifts.
In Cortes, observers argued that the opposition should keep pressing institutions to honor commitments and exercise robust oversight. A spokesperson for Compromís pointed to the newly enacted Transparency Law as evidence of progress, while also acknowledging that building public trust requires consistent, transparent behavior from all parties. Other groups stressed that public administrations at every level must ensure open access and high-quality service, with a particular focus on safeguarding the rights of the most vulnerable.
The discussions reveal a shared conviction: governance works best when governments are open and accountable, and when citizens can rely on clear, timely information to participate meaningfully in public life. The Ombudsman’s position remains that transparency is not a one-off obligation but a continuous practice that underpins trust, legitimacy, and the health of the democratic system.
In summary, the attention drawn by the Ombudsman to the constant tension between political rhetoric and actual practice serves as a reminder that open governance is essential. The call is for more consistent access to information, faster responses, and a sustained commitment to transparency that stands up to scrutiny regardless of which party holds power. The public deserves nothing less than government that operates with integrity, clarity, and accountability at every level.