Navarre to become first administration with a freedom-of-information law

he government of Navarre plans to legislate on access to public information through a groundbreaking new "transparency and open government act." This law will enable citizens to find out things like how much the regional executive spent on its last institutional campaign, the details of the agreement it signed with the University Clinic of Navarre in 2011, what the premier's trip to the United States cost regional coffers, or how much the members of government make.

Until now, this type of information had been off-limits for the average citizen. But with the new freedom of information act, the government of Navarre will have 15 to 30 days to reply to any request for information.

The deputy premier, Roberto Jiménez of the Socialist Party, introduced the bill last week, calling it "a brave, ambitious and innovative initiative" that aims to "radically" transform the regional government's relations with citizens.

The law also hopes to be a role model for the entire country. For now, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is analyzing international legislation with a view to drafting a national bill that could be ready during the first half of the year, sources say.

If and when that comes to pass, Spain will cease to be an exception in Europe and Spaniards will be able to access public information without justifying the reasons why the request is being made. The previous government of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero introduced a draft bill last July, but the political term was coming to an end and there was no time for congressional debate.