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Party funding to get contracts widespread in Malta
Last changed: August 02 2024 06:57 by PCLMedia
An overwhelming majority of Maltese businesses perceive that funding political parties in exchange for public contracts or policy influence is prevalent in their country.
This perception stems from a Eurobarometer survey conducted in April, which interviewed 252 companies in Malta. The results reveal that 52% of businesses believe that political donations are a common method to secure public contracts.
In this context, Maltese companies rank third highest in the EU, following Romania (55%) and Slovakia (54%). The EU average for this belief stands at 36%.
Among various corrupt practices, political donations in exchange for contracts top the list in Malta. This practice is seen as more common than giving gifts or trips in return for services (20%) and favoring friends or family in business (46%) or public institutions (46%).
Furthermore, while 29% of EU respondents think bribery through gifts is widespread, only 20% of Maltese respondents share this belief.
The survey also highlights that 72% of Maltese businesses think that close ties between business and politics lead to corruption. However, this view is less pronounced in Malta compared to Greece (93%), Bulgaria (92%), Cyprus (91%), and Spain (90%).
Only 30% of Maltese companies agree that political connections are essential for business success, compared to 40% across the EU.
A mere 36% of Maltese respondents, versus 51% in the EU, believe that businesses engaging in corrupt practices are likely to be caught or reported to the authorities.
Additionally, only 35% of Maltese business owners think that people involved in corruption will face significant penalties or imprisonment.
Notably, there has been an improvement since 2023. The proportion of Maltese companies that believe individuals and businesses engaging in corrupt practices will be heavily fined or imprisoned has risen by 12 points, from 23% in 2023 to 35% now.
Moreover, there is an increased perception that petty corruption is appropriately punished in Malta, with a 15-point rise to 56% in agreement.
When asked if corruption had prevented their company from winning a public tender or procurement contract in the last three years, 26% of Maltese companies affirmed this. However, only 2% reported being asked to provide a gift, favor, or extra money for a permit or services.
The survey also inquired about the minimum value at which businesses would consider a gift or service to a public official as a bribe.
- 20% of Maltese businesses believe that any gift, regardless of monetary value, constitutes a bribe.
- 36% consider any monetary gift, even if less than €50, to be a bribe.
- 35% view any gift over €100 as a bribe.
This data reflects the varying thresholds and perceptions regarding what constitutes bribery among Maltese businesses.
To combat the widespread perception and instances of corruption in Malta, several anti-corruption measures could be implemented:
1. Strengthening Legal Frameworks:
- Legislation: Enhance existing laws to close loopholes and ensure comprehensive coverage of all forms of corruption.
- Penalties: Increase penalties for corrupt activities to serve as a stronger deterrent.
2. Transparency and Accountability:
- Public Disclosure: Require political parties and public officials to disclose sources of funding and financial interests.
- Procurement Processes: Ensure transparency in public procurement processes by publishing tender results and criteria for awarding contracts.
3. Independent Oversight Bodies:
- Anti-Corruption Commission: Establish or strengthen an independent anti-corruption commission with the authority to investigate and prosecute corruption cases.
- Audit Institutions: Empower national audit offices to conduct regular and thorough audits of public spending.
4. Whistleblower Protection:
- Anonymous Reporting: Set up secure and anonymous channels for reporting corruption.
- Protection Laws: Enact robust laws to protect whistleblowers from retaliation.
5. Public Awareness and Education:
- Campaigns: Run public awareness campaigns to educate citizens and businesses about the negative impacts of corruption and the importance of integrity.
- Training: Provide training for public officials and employees in ethical standards and anti-corruption practices.
6. Judicial Reforms:
- Independence: Ensure the independence of the judiciary to impartially handle corruption cases.
- Efficiency: Improve the efficiency of the judicial process to reduce delays in prosecuting corruption cases.
7. International Cooperation:
- Collaboration: Cooperate with international anti-corruption organizations and adhere to global standards and practices.
- Extradition Agreements: Strengthen extradition agreements to facilitate the prosecution of individuals involved in corruption across borders.
8. Monitoring and Evaluation:
- Regular Surveys: Conduct regular surveys and studies to monitor the prevalence of corruption and the effectiveness of anti-corruption measures.
- Feedback Mechanisms: Establish mechanisms for the public and businesses to provide feedback on anti-corruption efforts.
9. Technology and Innovation:
- E-Government: Implement e-government solutions to reduce human intervention in public service delivery, thereby minimizing opportunities for corruption.
- Blockchain: Utilize blockchain technology to ensure transparency and traceability in government transactions.
By implementing these measures, Malta can work towards reducing corruption, improving public trust, and fostering a more transparent and accountable governance system.
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