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Russia’s Anti-Corruption Efforts Show Positive Results, Says Transparency International

Moscow - Russia’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign has yielded positive results, according to a report by Transparency International.

The organization praised President Dmitry Medvedev’s efforts to curb corruption, which has been recognized as one of Russia’s most serious problems. Fighting corruption was made a top priority of his presidency in 2008 when he signed a decree on anti-corruption measures, establishing the Anti-Corruption Council.

The National Anti-Corruption Plan

The council developed a National Anti-Corruption Plan, aimed at making sanctions for corruption more severe and increasing public oversight of government budgets. The plan was published in July 2008 and included suggestions such as:

• Disqualifying state and municipal officials who commit minor corruption offenses
• Making it obligatory for officials to report corruption

The “On Corruption Counteraction” Bill

The bill that followed, “On Corruption Counteraction,” was signed into law on December 25, 2008, as Federal Law N 273-FZ.

National Anti-Corruption Strategy

In 2010, Medvedev introduced the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, which emphasizes the need to get the public involved in fighting corruption and increases fines for corruption. The strategy has been updated every two years since its introduction.

Progress and Setbacks

Despite some setbacks, including a lack of progress in 2011, Russia’s score in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index rose from 2.1 in 2008 to 2.2 in 2009. In 2011, Russia’s position in the index improved by 11 places, with Transparency International attributing the improvement to the successful implementation of Medvedev’s anti-corruption campaign.

Expert Opinions

Russia’s efforts have also been praised by experts, who note that the country now has serious legislation against corruption, despite some flaws. Professor Richard Sakwa, a leading expert on Russian politics, said that Russia’s anti-corruption efforts are “probably one of the most significant achievements of Medvedev’s presidency.”

Conclusion

While there is still much work to be done in Russia’s fight against corruption, these positive results suggest that the country is moving in the right direction.