34% of EU citizens believe that the number of effective prosecutions is sufficient to discourage corrupt practices and that their national governments’ efforts to fight corruption are effective (31%).
Today the Commission published the latest special Eurobarometer on corruptionwhich captures citizens’ perceptions and experiences, as well as the extraordinary Eurobarometer on the attitude of businesses towards corruption in the EU. Corruption remains a serious problem for EU citizens: 68% of citizens believe that corruption is still widespread in their country.
Concerning businesses of the EU, 63% also believe that corruption is a widespread problem in their country. 37% of respondents believe that anti-corruption measures are applied impartially and without ulterior motives. 34% of EU citizens believe that the number of effective prosecutions is sufficient to discourage corrupt practices and that their national governments’ efforts to fight corruption are effective (31%). Finally, 31% believe that there is sufficient transparency and control of the financing of political parties in their country.
Eurobarometer measurements are an important source of information for the Commission’s evaluations, including the rule of law reports. Under the EU’s Rule of Law Mechanism, the Commission promotes the fight against corruption to promote a rule of law mentality in all EU countries. The 2022 report on the rule of law will for the first time contain targeted recommendations to states members, including to fight corruption. In May, the Commission presented a proposal for a directive on asset recovery and confiscation to ensure that crime and corruption do not bear fruit by limiting the ability of criminals to commit new crimes. In addition, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office in the course of its operation has already frozen and seized assets of criminals worth several million euros.
Lena Flitzani
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