The Economist article “Squeaky-clean Europe is more corrupt than you think” highlights the pervasive corruption within the European Union, despite EU’s reputation for high governance standards. Lithuania is showcased as an EU success story, having dramatically improved its transparency and anti-corruption measures. However, the European Research Centre for Anti-corruption and State-building (ERCAS) notes that other former communist countries like Poland, Romania, and Hungary have regressed, with oligarchs and populist governments undermining reform efforts. Even the EU itself has not been immune to scandals, including a major bribery case involving Members of the European Parliament in 2022.
While EU regulations aim to curb corruption, the billions in aid it distributes often exacerbate the problem, especially in countries with weak institutions. As Alina Mungiu-Pippidi, head of ERCAS, explains, EU funds can act as a “resource curse” in these regions, fuelling corruption rather than reform. The article warns that corruption remains a significant threat to democracy and security, with autocracies like Russia exploiting these vulnerabilities. The situation in Ukraine, where both anti-corruption efforts and corruption are strong, serves as a critical test for Europe’s clean-up ambitions. Although progress is evident, the challenge remains daunting.
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