CPI 2021 for Western Europe & European Union: Trouble ahead for stagnating region

With an average score of 66 out of 100, the Western Europe and European Union (EU) region still tops the 2021 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), but progress there has stagnated. A worrying new normal is fast being established, as accountability and transparency measures neglected or rolled back during the COVID-19 pandemic remain unrestored, and public trust falls in the wake of procurement scandals.

Even top performers are showing concerning signs of backsliding, and the region continues to be rocked by corruption revelations – including exporting corruption to other parts of the world. The long-term consequences of inadequate anti-corruption action are already evident in Hungary (CPI score: 43) and Poland (56), with concerns that Slovenia (57) will soon join them.

Denmark (88) has been joined by Finland (88) at the top of the CPI, followed by Norway (85) and Sweden (85). Bulgaria (42), Hungary (43) and Romania (45) remain the worst performers in the region.

Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, and despite early warnings, Europe continues to use the crisis as an excuse for stagnating anti-corruption efforts and troubling decisions. Accountability and transparency measures are also being neglected or rolled back.

Cyprus (53) has seen a continuation of the ‘golden passports’ scandal, while the UK (78) government was embroiled in the various public contracting and ‘sleaze’ scandals – the latter emerging after this year’s CPI data was collected. Germany’s (80) face masks procurement scandal implicating MPs and Slovenia’s (57) decline in media integrity and freedom of peaceful assembly also call the region’s clean image into question.

In the Netherlands (82), the Court of Audit (NCA) lodged a formal complaint against the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport after finding irregularities in nearly 3 per cent – amounting to 5 billion euros – of total obligations in the ministry’s COVID-19 spending. The objection was later withdrawn after the ministry presented an action plan for making improvements in its financial management.

Across the region, executive powers are being used to bypass important accountability mechanisms meant to keep corruption in check. On top of the corruption scandals in the UK (78), judicial independence and respect for the rule of law are now under strain following government plans to curtail court powers. In Portugal (62), a new national anti-corruption strategy fails to cover political parties or the Bank of Portugal.

The repercussions of ignoring excessive political control over the judiciary and the resulting deterioration in the rule of law can already be seen in the region. Poland (56) has harshly restricted women’s rights and LGBTQI+ rights.

Hungary (43) has severely curbed freedom of expression and the ruling Fidesz party has extended its influence over all branches of power, using its parliamentary supermajority to grant the government the power to restrict fundamental rights during a state of emergency and further curtail the ability of independent institutions to keep the executive under control. Meanwhile, recovery aid funds were awarded in an untransparent way, with businesses and municipalities close to the government benefiting the most.

Only five EU Member States have adopted new legislation to transpose the EU directive on whistleblowing in time, weakening citizens’ ability to speak out against corruption and putting people’s human rights at risk.

Despite overwhelming stagnation in the region, some countries are strengthening their anti-corruption efforts.

Estonia (74) has gained 10 points since 2012 and continues to take positive steps forward through a comprehensive anti-corruption plan for 2021-2025 and new guidelines on lobbying, revolving doors and conflicts of interest. Nevertheless, the country is not free of those taking advantage of the COVID-19 crisis, as seen in the high-level corruption allegations that brought down the government exactly a year ago or the healthcare workers placed under investigation for selling vaccination certificates.

Significant improvers in the past decade also include Italy (56, up from 42 in 2012) and Greece (49, up from 36 in 2012), who have reaped the rewards of anti-corruption reforms. Even so, these countries remain among the region’s low-scorers. Legislative gaps need to be urgently filled for lobbying and beneficial ownership in Italy and access to information and party financing in Greece.

Slovakia’s (52) progress stands out among its immediate neighbours. The country’s success stems from improved whistleblower protections, greater transparency in selecting high-ranking officials, and the increased independence and stronger performance of the judiciary and police in investigating former high officials for corruption offences. For this improvement to become sustainable, the government should reinforce the independence and professionalism of prosecuting bodies and police and implement existing transparency standards in all public appointments.

Despite leading the CPI, a lack of national enforcement in Europe is allowing corruption to be exported and human rights violated globally.

EU Member States continue to drag their feet on implementing EU anti-money laundering legislation, and on closing the loopholes that still remain in this important new law. Member States also need to get behind an ambitious proposal to establish a new EU anti-money laundering agency. The explosive release of the Pandora Papers last year also served as a stark reminder that corporate secrecy enables oligarchs, human rights abusers and billionaires, allowing them to secretly move suspicious wealth offshore through luxury property purchases – including in France and Monaco.

Meanwhile, in Iceland (74), reports recently emerged that major fisheries company Samherji used dirty tactics to intimidate journalists and citizens who were reporting that the company bribed foreign officials in Namibia and Angola.

Whether the EU will successfully emerge from the pandemic greener, more digital, and more resilient will depend on whether the bloc makes good on its own commitments.

Member States need to transpose the EU Whistleblowing directive, fully implement the EU Anti Money Laundering Directive, establish public beneficial ownership registers, and end the systemic weaknesses that are allowing cross-border corruption schemes to go undetected.

At the same time, the EU must strengthen its anti-corruption measures to prevent the large influx of pandemic recovery funds from being plagued by fraud and corruption and act to protect the rule of law and democracy from undue abuses of power within the EU.