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February 11 2025 08:23:54 by PCLMedia
 
In the latest 2024 edition, Malta’s score fell to 46 out of 100, a decline from the 51 points recorded in 2023. The index evaluates 180 countries and territories based on perceived levels of public sector corruption, drawing from 13 external sources, including the World Bank, the World Economic Forum, consulting firms, and think tanks. The scores reflect expert and business community assessments.

The Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation, which serves as Transparency International’s contact point in Malta, noted that this marks the first time since the country's inclusion in the index in 2012 that its score has dropped below 50. The foundation highlighted that since 2015, Malta's CPI score has declined by 14 points, placing it well below the Western Europe and European Union (EU) regional average of 64. The foundation also categorized Malta as a "flawed democracy."

Malta now shares its CPI score of 46 with Kuwait, Montenegro, and Romania. Denmark leads the 2024 rankings with a score of 90, while South Sudan ranks the lowest with a score of 8. Among EU nations, only Bulgaria and Hungary rank lower than Malta.

Corruption Trends in Western Europe and the EU

Transparency International reports that Europe’s ability to combat corruption is weakening, which is affecting the region’s response to pressing issues such as the climate crisis, declining rule of law, and strained public services. The regional average CPI score for Western Europe and the EU has dropped for a second consecutive year, reaching 64 out of 100. Major economies such as Germany (75) and France (67) have also seen declines, while even traditionally high-scoring Nordic countries, including Norway (81) and Sweden (80), have posted their lowest-ever scores. Slovakia (49), Malta (46), and Hungary (41) have suffered further declines as the rule of law deteriorates.

One of the key issues raised in Transparency International’s analysis is weak transparency and accountability in government procurement, particularly in cases involving EU funds. The European Court of Auditors has identified a decline in competition for public contracts, prompting the European Commission to revise its 2014 Public Procurement Directive to address transparency gaps. Systemic corruption in public procurement remains a persistent issue in multiple EU countries.

Regarding Malta, Transparency International referenced the defunct hospitals deal, in which a former prime minister, along with former ministers and officials, face criminal charges related to corruption. The case involves the transfer of three public hospitals to a private company in a deal worth an estimated €4 billion. Similar corruption cases have been reported elsewhere in the EU, such as in Croatia, where the health minister was dismissed over bribery allegations concerning the procurement of overpriced robotic medical equipment for public hospitals.

Global Corruption Landscape

On a global scale, Transparency International highlights the connection between corruption and the climate crisis as two of humanity’s most pressing challenges. The organization warns that corruption exacerbates climate-related risks by misappropriating funds intended for adaptation and mitigation. It further states that a lack of transparency and accountability allows climate-related financial resources to be misused. Moreover, undue influence from private interests has obstructed meaningful policy actions necessary to combat climate change.

Transparency International Chair François Valérian emphasized that corruption is an evolving global threat that goes beyond development issues, contributing to declining democracy, instability, and human rights abuses. He urged nations and the international community to prioritize anti-corruption efforts to counter authoritarianism and promote a peaceful, free, and sustainable world.

In Russia, Transparency International reported a continued decline, with the country’s CPI score dropping four points to 22 in the past year. The organization linked this deterioration to Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which has further entrenched authoritarianism. Ukraine, on the other hand, despite experiencing a one-point drop to 35, has made progress in judicial independence and high-level corruption prosecutions.

The Middle East and North Africa region remains plagued by corruption, with political leaders maintaining tight control over resources while stifling dissent. However, Transparency International noted that new opportunities for reform could arise, citing the potential political shifts in Syria following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s government. Sub-Saharan Africa had the lowest regional average CPI score at 33.

In the Asia-Pacific region, the report found that governments continue to fall short in fulfilling their anti-corruption commitments, reflecting persistent governance challenges in the region.

Summary

Malta’s record-low CPI score for 2024 underscores increasing concerns about transparency and governance within the country. As corruption remains a persistent issue both locally and globally, the findings call for stronger anti-corruption measures, improved accountability, and greater transparency in public sector operations.
 

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