Romania on a negative trend in 2010 Transparency International Corruption Perception Index

Newsroom 26/10/2010 | 13:14

For the first time since 2002 Romania is on a negative trend in the Corruption Perception Index launched by Transparency International regarding the perception of corruption at a public sector level, and the reforms to combat it. If last year the index showed a stagnation of the fight against corruption, Romania scores this year 3.7 points out of 10 showing not only the stagnation of anti-corruption policies but also an increase of the degree of perceived corruption. Romania ranks 25 out of 27 states of the European Union, followed by Bulgaria with 3.6 points and Greece with 3.5 points.

The Transparency International index looks at the tendencies in the perception of corruption in a certain country. In this respect, this year the index highlights the abandonment of systemic reforms with impact and a lowering of the degree of interest of political factors to combat corruption.

Among the countries that had negative scores this year compared to the previous year are the ones most affected by the financial crisis, worsened by the lack of transparency and integrity about government decisions, public funds spending, functioning administration structures and administrative policies. The new EU member states that have followed their commitments for transparency and integrity, such as Poland, have shown an increase in scores, thus showing the connection between economic growth and an improvement of the public integrity climate.