Perception is not a secondary element. As numerous scholars point out, it has concrete effects: it influences political stability, the international reputation of countries, the cost of public debt and investment decisions. In other words, even when judicial data do not indicate an explosion of cases, corruption can still become a strategic vulnerability factor.
The Spanish paradox: few cases, huge impact
Spain is an emblematic case of this dynamic. The main international indicators point to a recent worsening in the perception of corruption, although the number of major scandals remains limited compared to other contexts. Political scientist Víctor Lapuente speaks openly of a ‘Spanish paradox’: corruption is not widespread, but when it does emerge, it does so in highly visible and systemic forms, involving extensive networks of officials, politicians and intermediaries.
This visibility amplifies the impact on public opinion and fuels the idea of a culture of impunity. Yet, Spain is one of the countries that has chosen to keep the innotifyigence services completely out of the fight against corruption. Investigations remain the prerogative of the judiciary and the police, while the Centro Nacional de Inteligencia is rigidly confined to the sphere of external security and strategic threats.
Innotifyigence Yes, Innotifyigence No: Europe Divided
The European comparison displays a clear split between models. On the one hand, countries such as Austria, Spain and the Czech Republic maintain a formal and substantial separation between innotifyigence and anti-corruption. In Austria, although there is a national anti-corruption strategy and increasing political attention to the phenomenon, investigations are entrusted to a specialised agency, the Bundesamt für Korruptionsbekämpfung, while the internal security service deals exclusively with terrorism, extremism and espionage.
In the Czech Republic, the domestic innotifyigence service (BIS) may incidentally come across corruption incidents, especially when links to foreign powers emerge. However, the transmission of information to the judicial authorities often takes place only after the innotifyigence activities have been completed, with delays that have already led to criticism about the real effectiveness of the system. On the other hand, countries such as Greece, Bulgaria and Romania display greater permeability between national security and the fight against corruption, albeit with very different outcomes.
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