LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (MNA/ITALPRESS) – According to the 2024 Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), Malta has fallen 10 places to its lowest-ever position, scoring 46 out of 100. This is the first time Malta registered the 50-point score. The report categorises Malta as a “flawed democracy” and explicitly states that its rule of law is in “breakdown”.
Countries are ranked on a scale from zero (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). Maltàs score places it alongside Kuwait, Montenegro, and Romania, and behind Saudi Arabia, and Rwanda. Regionally, only Bulgaria and Hungary ranked lower. The Western Europe and EU average is 66, with Denmark (90) topping the regional and global list as the least corrupt and Hungary (41) perceived as the most corrupt EU country.
Malta achieved its best results in 2015 – scoring 60 and ranking 34th. Since then, the country has witnessed an overall gradual decline in its corruption performance.
Referring in particular to the rule of law in Malta as being in a state of breakdown, the report highlighted the criminal charges against former Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and others about the fraudulent hospitals deal. “High-level officials in Malta abused their power to benefit private interests, putting public health at risk… the former prime minister, and former ministers and officials, are currently facing criminal charges relating to corruption,” it said.
The index measures the perception of corruption within the public sectors of 180 countries and territories using data from 13 independent sources that consult with country experts and those in business. Examples of public sector corruption include bribes or the use of political connections to win government contracts or obtain licenses, according to Transparency International. Transparency International said there was “systemic corruption in public procurement in several EU countries,” while citing “gaps in legal frameworks and poor enforcement” as being among the issues facing countries in the region.
Transparency International chair François Valèrian said corruption was “an evolving global threat” leading to “declining democracy, instability and human rights violations.” Calling tackling the problem a “top and long-term priority,” he said the dangerous trends revealed in this year’s index highlight the need to follow through with concrete action now to address global corruption. (ITALPRESS).
Foto: Ipa Agency
