The Republic of Moldova moved up two positions in the Corruption Perceptions Index 2024, scoring 43 points and ranking 78th out of 180 countries in the ranking. In the previous year, the index score was 42 points, with Moldova ranking 80th. Moldova has risen steadily over the past five years in the rankings, from 32 points obtained in 2019 to 43 points in 2024, IPN reports.
According to Transparency International, among Moldova's "ranking neighbors" are Bulgaria and China with CPI scores of 43 points and Albania - 42 points. Romania scored 46 points. At the top of the CPI 2024 ranking for the seventh year in a row is Denmark with an index score of 90 points, followed by Finland - 88 and Singapore - 84. Countries with the lowest scores are fragile, conflict-affected countries such as South Sudan - 8, Somalia - 9, Venezuela - 10, Syria - 12.
The cited source notes that in the case of the Republic of Moldova, the year 2024 was marked by essential progress in the EU accession process. In this context, the fight against corruption and the strengthening of the justice sector took on particular importance. Despite the efforts of the authorities, achievements in these two areas fall short of citizens' expectations. The implementation of the National Integrity and Anti-Corruption Program (NAIP) and the strategy on ensuring the independence and integrity of the justice sector needs to be further promoted. Effective and efficient monitoring of public policy documents needs to be ensured. As an example, the monitoring group for the PNIA should be set up and the way in which representatives of civil society organizations are appointed to this group should be reconsidered.
Several relevant legislative initiatives were promoted and adopted during the year, but not all initiatives were sufficiently justified and consulted. As an example, the review of sanctions for corruption should have been preceded by a fundamental analysis of statistical data, which would demonstrate the urgent need for legislative interventions.
Despite increased resources allocated to anti-corruption authorities, cooperation between them remains insufficient. Politicians' reproaches against them and political speeches without factual support undermine the legitimacy of the anti-corruption authorities and undermine the principle of separation and cooperation of powers.
Cases of prosecution and sentencing of former officials were reported during the reporting period. However, irregularities committed by dignitaries should also be investigated. Similarly, integrity in the electoral process cannot be ensured by prosecuting and punishing corruption.
Transparency International notes that the perpetrators of the 'theft of the billion' are still not serving their sentences and that the money fraudulently extracted from the banking sector has not been recovered.
The Republic of Moldova has been assessed by the Group of States against Corruption in the fifth round of the evaluation. By implementing the recommendations addressed to the state, the authorities should also make an effort to address the outstanding issues from the fourth round of evaluation. This exercise would serve as proof of Moldova's determination in the fight against corruption.
