Cristóbal Milán, an economist in Palma, has been working as director at the anti-corruption office in the Balearic Islands. Recently, a law was passed by the regional parliament that will lead to the closure of the independent control organization that Milán has been leading since May 2022. The decision to close the office had been in the works for months, with hints from politicians from the Popular Party (PP) and Vox. The closure was further fueled by allegations against the director general of Emergencies in the regional government, involving corruption in urban planning. Despite the uncertainty, Milán believes the office was destined to close eventually.
The closure of the office means that ongoing investigations, including one involving the director general of Emergencies, will likely be left unresolved. Under the new law, these cases will be transferred to another department in the regional government, which lacks the authority to investigate further. This leaves the government in a position to decide how to handle the allegations, posing a risk that cases will be shelved without resolution. Milán is concerned about the lack of transparency and accountability in the new system, which diminishes the ability of citizens to report administrative irregularities and expect a fair investigation.
The law passed by PP and Vox aims to promote transparency among public officials but imposes restrictions on access to declarations of assets and income, which were previously public knowledge. The lack of a mechanism to penalize non-compliance with this obligation raises questions about the effectiveness of the new legislation. Milán criticizes the law for its vague provisions and inconsistencies, questioning how information will be disclosed and what will be made public. The director is worried about the impact of the law on citizens seeking to report misconduct in the administration, as they may now have limited options to seek justice.
Milán denies allegations that the office is politically biased and regrets the lack of interest from the government and political parties in understanding the work being done. He emphasizes that cases are handled impartially and without political influence, based on the order in which they are received. The director recalls an investigation into a contract the regional government made during the pandemic, which uncovered potential irregularities but did not suggest any criminal activity. He stresses the importance of objective scrutiny in cases like these to maintain public trust in the system.
As the office is set to dissolve within six months, Milán reflects on the closure as a setback for transparency and citizen rights in the Balearic Islands. He contrasts this move with the establishment of an independent agency in the Basque Country dedicated to protecting whistleblowers, in line with EU and UN guidelines. Milán hopes that the closure of his office does not set a precedent for similar actions in the future, emphasizing the importance of these institutions in upholding democratic values and accountability. Despite the challenges ahead, he remains committed to advocating for transparency and accountability in public administration.
