The Corruption Perceptions Index for 2019, put together by the NGO Transparency International, shows a general lack of progress in the fight against corruption and highlights persistent disparities between European Union member states.
The index, which was published on Thursday 23 January, only takes into account corruption in the public sector. It gives 180 countries a score out of 100.
The average score of 64/100 given to the European Union conceals countries in contrasting positions. “There is still a division within the EU between two groups of countries, which more or less correlates with old and new member states of the EU”, says Michiel van Hulten, Director of the European office of Transparency International.
Six member states are ranked in the 'top 10' in the world. These are Denmark – first out of 180 countries, with a score of 87/100 – Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany and Luxembourg.
Europe's poor performers in the area of corruption – Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria – are ranked between 60th and 74th places, in positions similar to Senegal and Tunisia, with scores ranging from 48/100 and 43/100.
There was no improvement in 2019, except for Spain and Greece. France, the United Kingdom, Romania and the Czech Republic, on the other hand, show a marked decline.
“The most important role the EU can play is on the checks and balances and the separation of powers”, says Nick Aiossa, head of the NGO's Political Integrity Unit.
He added that it is also essential to protect whistleblowers and to continue monitoring what happens to European funds. It calls on the EU, “and more specifically the European Commission”, to remain vigilant regarding the transposition into national law of the European directive on whistleblowers that was adopted last October.
To consult the index, go to: http://bit.ly/38B0FPY (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki - intern)