Albania was rated in 2023 with one point more than the previous year in the Corruption Perceptions Index, scoring 37 points and ranking 98th out of 180 countries, according to Transparency International.
On Tuesday, this organization published the annual Corruption Perceptions Index and the report on the state of corruption in the world.
Transparency International uses a scoring system from zero to 100 points, where zero is the highest level of corruption and 100 points means no corruption.
The report states that Albania is making progress in the investigation and prosecution of corruption at a high level, referring to the work of the Special Prosecution Office against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK).
“But further progress in this direction depends on the further implementation of criminal justice legislation and ensuring effective oversight of the executive branch,” the report said.
Transparency International says that the decision to create a new ministry responsible for fighting corruption is accompanied by expectations for effective integrity mechanisms.
“However, this cannot be achieved if the Parliament does not have stronger autonomy and if civil society organizations and the media cannot perform their monitoring role without hindrance from the authorities,” the Transparency International report further states.
This year, according to the organization, the majority of countries have made little or no progress in the fight against corruption in the public sector.
In 2022, Albania was ranked 101st. Since 2012, Albania has improved by 4 points.
Transparency International says the world is experiencing a decline in the functioning of justice systems, and countries with weak justice systems have high levels of corruption.
“Corruption will continue to flourish until justice systems can punish violations and hold governments accountable. When justice is bought or interfered with politically, it is the people who suffer the consequences. Leaders must fully invest in institutions that respect the law and fight corruption and ensure their independence. It is time to end impunity for corruption,” said François Valérian, head of Transparency International, in the report.
Denmark leads the index for the lowest level of corruption for the sixth consecutive year with 90 points, followed by Finland and New Zealand, with 87 and 85 points respectively.
Somalia with 11 points, Venezuela with 13 points, Syria with 13 points, South Sudan with 13 points, and Yemen with 16 points occupy the bottom positions in the Index.
The Eastern Europe and Central Asia region, which includes Albania, has worrisome results with an average of 35 points out of a maximum of 100 points, the second weakest after Sub-Saharan Africa.
“Backtracking in democracy and the weakening of justice systems, which are quite widespread, are undermining control of corruption, while institutions such as the police, prosecutors, and courts are often unable to investigate and prosecute those who abuse power,” the report states.
Among the Western Balkan countries, Albania ranks lower than Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Montenegro, while it has respectively one point more than Serbia and two more than Bosnia.
Ukraine and Russia are part of this subgroup, and the report states that war and inflation have increased poverty levels, making it essential for leaders to act for the common good.
“However, there are countless examples of public officials systematically influencing policies and institutions to increase their power and steal public funds. Leaders urgently need to strengthen the rule of law, rights, and democracy, but in fact, many of them are systematically attacking them,” the report says.
“Throughout the region, many governments control the judiciary, and law enforcement institutions maintain impunity for corruption for those in their privileged circles,” says Transparency International, emphasizing that for Georgia and the countries in the Western Balkans, “these ongoing practices are obstacles to accession to the European Union”.
You can read the full report here.
