Cum-Ex and mask affair
Germany has “some open flanks” when it comes to corruption
January 30, 2024, 7:22 a.m
Listen to article
This audio version was artificially generated. More info | Send feedback
In a ranking for combating corruption, Germany comes in ninth place out of a total of 180 countries assessed. But according to Transparency International, some issues need to be addressed. The experts are also concerned about this development.
According to Transparency International, Germany is stalling when it comes to fighting corruption. According to the global corruption perception index (CPI) 2023, the Federal Republic is doing relatively well in an international comparison: it comes in ninth place out of a total of 180 countries examined and achieves 78 out of 100 points. However, compared to the previous year, Germany lost one point – for the second year in a row.
According to Transparency, the Federal Republic has achieved the same number of points as ten years ago. “For more than ten years, Germany has been more or less standing still in the corruption perception index,” said the deputy chairwoman of Transparency Germany, Margarete Bause, commenting on the current result. Although Germany has the problem of corruption relatively well under control, there are “some open flanks”. Scandals such as Cum-Ex and the mask affair during the corona pandemic highlighted the weak points.
According to Transparency, politicians still lack consistency when it comes to fighting corruption: In 2023 there were “too many half-measures”. The organization cites the reform of the Bundestag’s lobby register as examples – without a lobby footprint, i.e. the influence of lobbyists on laws. In addition, a draft for the “urgently needed” corporate criminal law is missing.
Somalia is last in the ranking
In 2024, the traffic light coalition must therefore get down to business, demanded Bause: The tightening of the law against bribery of members of parliament, the lobby footprint and the Federal Transparency Act must be introduced and passed in the Bundestag this year. These three projects were agreed in the coalition agreement but have still not been implemented. The federal states are also in demand, added Bause. These would have to equip law enforcement authorities and the judiciary more effectively.
Denmark takes the best place in the new corruption perception index with 90 points, followed by Finland with 87 points. Somalia takes last place with eleven points. Overall, more than two-thirds of the 180 countries score below 50, which Transparency says is “a clear indication of serious corruption problems worldwide.”
The rise of anti-democratic forces also leads to an increase in corruption in the respective countries, explained Transparency. “Where the rule of law, independent media and civil society groups are weakened, that is where corruption flourishes.”
Hungary is slipping significantly
This is clearly illustrated by Hungary under the leadership of Prime Minister Viktor Orban, it was said. The EU, for example, accuses Hungary of having serious deficits in fundamental rights in addition to rampant corruption. Hungary has slipped significantly in the Transparency Index in recent years. It has lost 13 points since 2012 and now ranks last among EU countries with 42 points.
Transparency International compiles its annual Corruption Perception Index (CPI) based on data from independent institutions that specialize in analyzing governance and the economic climate. A value of 100 means that no corruption is perceived. 0 means a maximum of this.