| Political corruption |
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| Forms and concepts |
| Anti-corruption |
| Corruption by country |
Corruption in Latvia is examined on this page.
| Political corruption |
|---|
| |
| Forms and concepts |
| Anti-corruption |
| Corruption by country |
Corruption in Latvia is examined on this page.
According to several sources, the Latvian political system faces serious corruption. The influence of private interests involved in illegal political party funding undermines the efforts to combat political corruption. [1] According to Transparency International's Global Corruption Barometer 2013, 68% of surveyed households consider political parties to be corrupt or extremely corrupt—ranking as the most corrupt institution in Latvia. Furthermore, 55% of the surveyed households believe that the level of corruption has stayed the same and 67% of surveyed households find government efforts in the fight against corruption to be ineffective [2] Transparency International's 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index scored Latvia at 60 on a scale from 0 ("highly corrupt") to 100 ("very clean"). When ranked by score, Latvia ranked 36th among the 180 countries in the Index, where the country ranked first is perceived to have the most honest public sector. [3] For comparison with worldwide scores, the best score was 90 (ranked 1), the average score was 43, and the worst score was 11 (ranked 180). [4] For comparison with regional scores, the highest score among Western European and European Union countries [Note 1] was 90, the average score was 65 and the lowest score was 42. [5]
There is a widespread perception that politicians and businesses are too closely linked in Latvia. Business executives surveyed in the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report 2013-2014 believe that public funds are sometimes diverted to companies, individuals or groups due to corruption, and the lack of sufficient ethical behaviour of companies with public officials, politicians and other companies is a competitive disadvantage for the country. [6]
The leading specialised anti-corruption authority of Latvia is the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB; Latvian : Korupcijas novēršanas un apkarošanas birojs). [7] It was established in October 2002, following adoption of the Law on Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau on 18 April 2002. [8]
Since the start of 2020, the Whistleblowing law has entered force to promote whistleblowing on violations in public interests and ensure the establishment and operation of whistleblowing mechanisms, and also due protection of whistleblowers. [9]
Corruption in Albania is a very serious problem. According to Global Corruption Barometer 2013, 66% of respondents indicated that level of corruption has increased in Albania.
Corruption in Italy is a major problem. In Transparency International's annual surveys, Italy has consistently been regarded as one of the most corrupt countries in the Eurozone. Political corruption remains a major problem particularly in Lombardy, Campania and Sicily where corruption perception is at a high level. Political parties are ranked the most corrupt institution in Italy, closely followed by public officials and Parliament, according to Transparency International. But in the 2013 Global Corruption Barometer report, Italy is in 17th position in front of the United Kingdom (18th), Switzerland (21st) and the United States (22nd).
Corruption in France describes the prevention and occurrence of corruption in France.
In general, Belgium has a well-developed legal and institutional framework for fighting against corruption.
Corruption in Lithuania describes the prevention and occurrence of corruption in Lithuania.
Corruption in Denmark is amongst the lowest in the world.
According to Transparency International's Global Corruption Barometer 2013, corruption is a large concern in the public sector as more than half of the surveyed households consider Parliament, police, public officials, and particularly the judiciary and political parties very corrupt.
Corruption in Switzerland describes the prevention and occurrence of corruption in Switzerland.
Levels of corruption in Luxembourg are generally said to be very low, and there a strong legal framework for combating corruption in the country. Surveys however indicate that a majority of the population believe political parties are either "corrupt" or "extremely corrupt."
Corruption in Iceland describes the prevention and occurrence of corruption in Iceland.
In 2013, a report by Transparency International revealed that political parties, Parliament, the judiciary and the military are the most corrupt institutions in Portugal. Transparency International's 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index ranks the country in 33rd place out of 180 countries in the Index.
Transparency International's 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index scored Germany at 78 on a scale from 0 to 100. When ranked by score, Germany ranked 9th among the 180 countries in the Index, where the country ranked first is perceived to have the most honest public sector. For comparison with worldwide scores, the best score was 90, the average score was 43, and the worst score was 11. For comparison with regional scores, the highest score among Western European and European Union countries was 90, the average score was 65 and the lowest score was 42.
Corruption in the Netherlands is minimal in all major areas—judiciary, police, business, politics—as the country is considered one of the least corrupt within the European Union.
Corruption in the Czech Republic is considered to be widespread by a majority of the Czech public, according to Transparency International’s Global Corruption Barometer 2013.
In recent years, Montenegro has increased its efforts to implement preventive and legislative measures needed to curb corruption. For example, anti-bribery provisions in the Criminal Code, as well as laws on money laundering, conflict of interest, access to information, and political funding have all been strengthened, while awareness-raising activities and training of public officials in integrity standards have been intensified.
Corruption in Slovenia is examined on this page.
Corruption in Slovakia is a serious and ongoing problem.
Corruption in Jordan is a social and economic issue.
As of the early 2020s, Croatia has severe problems with systemic and political corruption. Among European Union member states, it is generally ranked as one of the five most corrupt states.
Transparency International defines corruption as "the abuse of entrusted power for private gain". Transparency International's 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index scored the United Kingdom at 71 on a scale from 0 to 100. When ranked by score, the United Kingdom ranked 20th among the 180 countries in the Index, where the country ranked first is perceived to have the most honest public sector. For comparison with worldwide scores, the best score was 90, the average score was 43, and the worst score was 11. For comparison with regional scores, the highest score among Western European and European Union countries was 90, the average score was 65 and the lowest score was 42. The United Kingdom's score has fallen six points over the last five years and is now at its lowest point in the twelve years that the current version of the Index has been published.