The Basque Transparency Act has progressed without the support of the opposition
The new Basque Transparency Act will regulate access to public information, citizen participation and lobbyingactivity. The rule has been passed with the support of the PNV and the PSE and rejected by the entire opposition as insufficient and without ambition.
The Basque Parliament has given the green light to the first Transparency Act of the Basque Country, which will regulate the information to be made public by the administrations, the participation of citizens and the activity of pressure groups in the Basque institutions.
The law promoted by the Basque Government was passed with the votes in favour of the PNV and the PSE. EH Bildu, PP, Sinte and Vox voted against most of the articles of the text.
With this recognition, the Basque Country is no longer the only autonomous community without its own legislation on transparency, having failed several attempts in the previous three legislatures.
The Governance and Self-Government Counsellor, Maria Ubarretxena, has argued that the rule "strengthens democratic quality du", strengthens citizens' confidence in institutions and deepens accountability to public administrations.
It explains that the law extends the right of access to public information, protects persons who report administrative offences andestablishes greater controls over private entities receiving public funds or providing public services.
In addition, it has created the Basque Transparency Authority, known as Gardena, which will be responsible for protecting the right to information and resolving complaints. The regulation also includes mechanisms for citizen participation in the design and evaluation of public policies.
Opposition criticism
Since EH Bildu, Lamia Arcas has criticized the "firm" attitude of PNV and PSE in negotiating amendments and has denounced that the law has "power structures" that limit accountability.
The PP has also rejected the text. Congresswoman Ainhoa Domaica has said that the new transparency authority is born "lame" because the punitive capacity is not sufficiently guaranteed. She has also criticized the penalties envisaged for senior public officials as "ridiculous" compared to those imposed on private institutions.
On the part of Sumar, Jon Hernández believes that the rule is not 'ambitious' and does not establish sufficient administrative control mechanisms or support for those who report irregularities. However, he appreciates the agreement reached by the vast majority of the Basque Parliament to elect the presidency of Gardena and not directly the Basque Government.
Vox MP Amaia Martinez has defined the law as a "paripé" of an "opaque" Basque government.
PNV and PSE defense
PNV parliamentarian Xabier Barandiaran said the law opens a "window of opportunity" to better evaluate public policies, strengthen citizen cooperation and increase trust between institutions and society.
Since the PSE, Pau Blasi has stressed that the aim of the rule is to restore public confidence in the institutions, improve public decision-making and move towards a new political culture based on transparency and participation.
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