The 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released today by Transparency International shows that most countries are failing to stop corruption. Moldova takes a spot in the middle of the rankings, with a positive growth, IPN reports, quoting a press release of Transparency International Moldova.
Depicting the state of affairs globally, Delia Ferreira Rubio, Chair of Transparency International said: “Corruption has made our world a more dangerous place. As governments have collectively failed to make progress against it, they fuel the current rise in violence and conflict – and endanger people everywhere...”
The global CPI average remains unchanged for over a decade at just 43 out of 100. More than two-thirds of countries score below 50, while 26 countries have fallen to their lowest scores yet.
Moldova ranks 91st with a score of 39 out of 180 countries, up from the 107th spot with 36 points in CPI 2021.
Transparency International notes that being a country with a long history of state capture, Moldova has recently emerged from a turbulent political period and shown a real willingness to implement anti-corruption reforms. The pro-European government’s majority in parliament appears to reflect a widespread consensus against entrenched oligarchic networks.
While rooting out corruption will continue to be an uphill battle, the government has made judicial reforms, anti-corruption efforts and the promotion of economic development its top political goals. Going forward, anti-corruption efforts will require increased support from civil society organizations and grassroots movements to increase pressure on Moldova’s political elite.
The war against neighboring Ukraine has added another layer of complications, causing major energy, economic and humanitarian crises in the country. While implementing the commitments for EU membership, the government now needs to make good on its promises to depoliticize anti-corruption bodies and genuinely reform the country’s justice system.
The justice sector reform hasn’t yet produced any palpable results. Moreover, the authorities do not manage to sufficiently ensure an inclusive and transparent monitoring process. Serious shortcomings are witnessed in the public authorities’ communication with civil society. In 2022, the administrative posts at the Prosecutor General’s Office and the National Integrity Authority were held on an interim basis. In such conditions, it is hard to exercise efficient control over the institutions. The refusal to return to the contest procedures for filling the posts of director and vice director of the National Anticorruption Center and the National Integrity Authority affect the credibility of the anticorruption authorities. The absence of dynamics in high-profile cases, such as the “billion theft”, is regrettable. Moldova is late in implementing recommendations of the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO).
Therefore, Transparency International recommends designing a new public policy document on the fight against corruption, by respecting the good practices and standards; effectively and efficiently implementing the instruments of parliamentary control over anticorruption activity; holding the contest to fill the post of head of the National Integrity Authority in strict compliance with the law; strengthening the Security and Intelligence Service’s capacities to examine the holders and candidates for public posts; stimulating the examination of high-profile cases, primarily the “billion theft”.
