Hungary is the least efficient EU country in the annual NGO corruption index, while Denmark gets the best score. France loses five places in the world ranking.
Corruption in EU countries has worsened For the second consecutive year, according to an annual index published Tuesday, which ranks Hungary as the worst student of the Union and notes that major economies such as France and Germany are retreating.
For the first time, France, which loses five places in the index, is classified among countries “risking losing control of corruption“.
According to Transparency International (TI), which compiles the index for perception of corruption, on all 180 countries studied, about a quarter have obtained the lowest score Since the NGO began to use its current methodology for its global ranking in 2012.
The IT index measures the perception of corruption in the public sector According to 13 data sources, from the World Bank to Consulting and Management Companies, and assesses countries and territories on a scale from 0, “Very corrupt”at 100, “very clean“.
The regional average for Western Europe and The EU was 64 this year,, against 65 last year. Before 2023, this score had not dropped for ten years, according to TI.
Europe’s ability to fight corruption is insufficientwhich hinders the Union’s response to the challenges that range from the climate crisis to the crumbling of the rule of law and the overload of public services, according to the report of this year.
For a while, legal gaps, poor law application and the shortage of resources prevented EU countries from effectively tackling corruption, Ti Europe analysts said.
“But today, some governments go further, undergoing or politicizing executives to combat corruption and allowing the erosion of the rule of law,” they wrote on Tuesday.
Full lights on Hungary and Slovakia
Hungary is at the bottom of the ranking of Western Europe and the EUwith a score of 41, a drop from a point compared to last year. Summarizing his evaluation, Ti stressed “systemic corruption and continuous decline of the rule of law “ During the 15 years of reign of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
The report refers recent American sanctions imposed on a civil servant of the Hungarian governmentAntal Rogán, chief of the cabinet of the Prime Minister and close collaborator of Viktor Orbán, for alleged corruption linked to the distribution of public contracts to supposed allies.
The Hungarian head of government and his ruling party, Fidesz, have repeatedly denied the allegations of corruption.
Bulgaria, Romania and Malta are other bad students in the region, while Slovakia has been designated as a country to watchR after his score fell five points to 49 in the first year of the government of Prime Minister Robert Fico.
“”Many reforms weaken anti-corruption controls and bypass public consultation“Indicates the report.
In recent weeks, major demonstrations have taken place in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, the demonstrators accusing Robert Fico to undermine democratic values and get closer to Russia. Slovak Prime Minister said his opponents were trying to overthrow the government.
Corruption and climate crisis closely linked
I also noted that France has lost four points to 67 and Germany three points at 75, partly because of The influence of business lobbies on climate policy and action.
“”Two of the biggest challenges that humanity is faced with are closely linked: corruption and the climatiqu crisisE, “said Ti in the foreword of this year’s index.
The absence of adequate mechanisms of transparency and responsibility increase the risk that funds intended for the fight against climate change will be poorly used or diverted, while Conflicts of interest between politicians and lobbying of polluting industries on decision -makers are concernaccording to the report.
“These factors have hampered the adoption of the ambitious policies and measures necessary to combat climate change, by promoting the interests of limited groups at the expense of the common good“Indicates ti.
The corruption crisis is a major obstacle to the resolution of the climate crisis.
The global average of the index remained unchanged compared to 2023, at 43, with more than two thirds of the countries obtaining a score of less than 50.
Denmark, which participates in the summit for the seventh consecutive year, has obtained 90 points, Finland 88 points and Singapore 84 points. The South Sudan only obtained eight points, supplanting Somalia from a point and thus becoming the least efficient country in the world this year.