20260211 Korruption in der EU

Daniel Freund reports from the EU Parliament

On the subject of transparency and corruption, Green Party MEP Daniel Freund writes to us in light of recent events:

The world is more corrupt than it has been in a long time. That is the conclusion of the latest Corruption Perceptions Index published by Transparency International. TI analysed 182 countries worldwide, and the results especially for the public sector show the worst global situation in a decade.

The situation has deteriorated even in democracies. But corruption is flourishing above all in authoritarian states, where safeguards are often weak or absent. An independent judiciary, a diverse media landscape, and a vibrant civil society can act as checks on abuse of power. Where strong rule-of-law institutions are missing, corruption faces few obstacles.

Within the European Union, two countries share last place: Hungary and Bulgaria are ranked as the most corrupt EU Member States in the latest index. Hungary has been sliding down the rankings for years. Under Viktor Orbán, corruption has long since reached a systemic level. It has become embedded in state administration and political life.

Daniel Freund, Coordinator of the Greens in the Budgetary Control Committee:
"Once again, Hungary is Europe’s sad frontrunner. According to the latest Transparency International index, it is the most corrupt Member State in the European Union. Under Orbán, those in power enrich themselves while society grows poorer. Every euro from Brussels fuels this abuse. Over the past 15 years, Hungary has experienced an unprecedented decline under Orbán. It is time for the European Commission to act: no more EU funds without reforms. European taxpayers’ money must only flow again once the rule of law is restored in Hungary."

On his website he goes into details:

At least €900 billion is lost every year in the EU due to corruption (in the public and private sectors).

For 12 years now, the EU has failed to implement the UN's anti-corruption commitments.

Three journalists were murdered in the EU in 2018 because of their investigations into corruption.