Dr Vassilia Orfanou, PhD, Post Doc
COO, LUDCI.eu

Europe at a Crossroads: Are we moving backwards?

Europe is at a critical juncture when it comes to tackling corruption, which continues to worsen in many member states. The latest report from Transparency International (TI) reveals an alarming trend: corruption is not only on the rise but is also deeply entwined with other pressing global challenges, such as the climate crisis. With the integrity of the public sector increasingly under scrutiny, it is essential for Europe to take decisive action to address these issues and ensure its future remains free of corruption’s grip.

A Wake-Up Call for Europe’s Political Landscape

The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) from Transparency International highlights that Hungary has emerged as the worst performer in the European Union, followed closely by countries like Bulgaria, Slovakia, and Romania. TI’s findings suggest that legal loopholes, insufficient enforcement, and an erosion of the rule of law are exacerbating the problem. Countries like France and Germany have also seen troubling backslides, with factors like corporate lobbying and lack of transparency in critical sectors like climate policy being flagged as major contributors.

For the EU to successfully combat corruption and its far-reaching consequences, a unified, transparent, and consistent approach is needed. The implications are far-reaching: corruption weakens the trust between citizens and their governments, disrupts markets, and hinders the region’s ability to tackle other existential challenges such as climate change and economic inequality.

The Role of EU Policy: Where to Go From Here?

While the challenges are clear, the policy direction to address corruption remains insufficiently defined. This is where a clear, strategic roadmap from EU policymakers is crucial. Here are the key steps for Europe to consider moving forward:

Strengthening Anti-Corruption Frameworks: Member states need to commit to enforcing stringent anti-corruption measures. This involves enhancing transparency in public procurement processes, ensuring accountability for government officials, and establishing clear oversight bodies that are free from political interference. These measures should be backed by an EU-wide standard to ensure consistency across borders.
Fostering Independent Institutions: Europe must prioritize the independence of institutions responsible for policing corruption. This includes reinforcing the autonomy of judicial systems, regulatory bodies, and watchdog organizations. Independence is crucial for these entities to act impartially, without political influence or fear of retaliation.
Promoting Whistleblower Protection: One of the key ways to unearth corruption is by empowering citizens to report malfeasance without fear of retaliation. Strengthening legal protections for whistleblowers across all member states, and ensuring proper channels for reporting corruption, will be critical in uncovering corruption networks within the EU.
Increased EU Oversight: The European Commission needs to enhance its oversight capabilities and work closely with national governments to ensure that anti-corruption laws are implemented and respected. This should also include coordinated actions with international bodies like the UN and the OECD to align anti-corruption efforts.
Combating Corruption in Critical Sectors: As the TI report points out, sectors like climate policy and public health are particularly vulnerable to corruption. Therefore, there should be a focused effort to increase transparency in these areas, particularly around the allocation of climate funds, investments, and public health initiatives. The EU must introduce clear anti-corruption protocols that prevent conflicts of interest and ensure fair competition in these critical industries.
Collaborative Transparency Initiatives: EU countries must work together to build a collective culture of transparency. This can be done through shared databases, cross-border information exchange, and open governance initiatives that give citizens access to the decision-making processes of their governments. Collaboration with the private sector to ensure corporate accountability in both lobbying and government dealings is also a necessary step.

Conclusion: The Impact of Corruption on Europe’s Future

The increasing trend of corruption in the EU cannot be underestimated. It is a destabilizing force that hampers growth, impedes justice, and undermines the trust that citizens place in their governments. As the corruption crisis grows, the EU’s ability to tackle other critical issues—such as climate change, security, and economic inequality—becomes more constrained.

The time for decisive action is now. Europe must not only address corruption within its borders but must also adopt a proactive approach to eliminating it at the root. Only with comprehensive, transparent, and enforceable anti-corruption measures can the EU hope to secure a fair, prosperous, and sustainable future for its citizens.

A Call for Pan-European Action

The challenges of corruption are not isolated to individual nations—they are a pressing, pan-European issue that demands immediate attention. Corruption knows no borders, and as such, it undermines the very foundations upon which the European Union was built: trust, fairness, and justice. The EU must seize this moment and take the lead in establishing robust, collaborative anti-corruption frameworks that not only address the problem at its core but also ensure that these frameworks are effectively implemented and enforced across all member states.

Europe cannot afford to continue turning a blind eye to the corrosive impact of corruption. It is more than just a threat to governance—it erodes the integrity of democratic institutions, fuels inequality, and obstructs progress on critical issues such as climate change, public health, and economic stability. The time for complacency is over. It’s time for Europe to act decisively, to unite in purpose and vision, and to build a future that is free from the shackles of corruption.

The EU must move beyond lip service and take meaningful steps to create a transparent, accountable, and ethical environment for all its citizens. This means fostering cross-border collaboration, enforcing rigorous standards of transparency, and holding those in power accountable for their actions. Europe must lead by example, setting the stage for other nations to follow in its pursuit of a corruption-free future.

The stakes could not be higher. With each passing day, the window of opportunity to address corruption grows smaller. It is now or never for Europe to take the necessary steps to safeguard its future generations and ensure that the European project remains one of integrity, fairness, and trust. The time for action is now—let’s make it happen.

Featured photo: Christian Skiada: https://www.pexels.com/photo/artistic-silhouettes-in-dramatic-lighting-30869136/