The Spanish government has appointed the first president of the Independent Whistleblowing Authority, marking a key step in the delayed implementation of EU whistleblower protections.
Manuel Villoria Mendieta has been appointed – by Royal Decree 328/2025 – as president of Spain’s Autoridad Independiente de Protección del Informante (A.A.I.), more than two years after the transposition deadline set by the EU Whistleblowing Directive. His appointment marks a key step in implementing the long-overdue protections for whistleblowers in Spain.
Key Highlights:
- Manuel Villoria, Professor of Political Science at the Rey Juan Carlos University, is recognized for his track record in public ethics, institutional governance, and the fight against corruption, making him a prominent figure to lead the Independent Authority. He was one of the founding members of Transparency International Spain, and president of its advisory Council.
- His appointment comes after a substantial delay in the application of the EU Whistleblower Directive, which states that Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations, and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by 17 December 2021.
Background & Context:
- Law 2/2023, which transposes the EU Whistleblower Directive, entered into force in March 2023, 14 months after the deadline for transposition set by the directive.
- Law 2/2023 provided for the approval of the Independent Authority´s statute within one year of its entry into force, that is, March 2024 (Eleventh Final Provision). It was finally approved in October 2024. However, its president has not been appointed until April 2025.
- The EU Whistleblower Directive states that “Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by 17 December 2021”. Consequently, the Independent Authority´s Statute was approved with a delay of 28 months.
Further Reading