The implementation of open government in Spain: Preparation and execution of action plans

Abstract

Since Spain became one of the signatory countries of the Open Government Partnership in 2011, it has submitted, as required by the incorporation to this Alliance, three Action Plans whose objective is focused on the consolidation of governments compromised with the real needs of the Spanish society, thus creating tools and commitments in favour of more open, more transparent and, of course, more participative governments. In this study, an analysis will be made of the different Plans carried out in our country, taking into account possible deficiencies and/or improvements for future Plans. At the beginning of 2020, we were immersed in the preparatory phase of what would be the next 4th Action Plan, although, as will be specified later, its more than long delay in approval aggravated by the suspension of the deadlines of the roadmap of the same as a result of the declaration of the State of Alarm by Royal Decree 463/2020 of 14 March, for the management of the health crisis situation caused by the COVID-19, leads to a new Plan with a validity different from that initially planned for the period 2019-2021. In this study, an analysis of the different OGP Action Plans carried out in our country will be made, taking into account possible deficiencies and/or improvements for future Plans.