Corruption Widespread in Maltese Finance, Survey Reveals
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A recent European Union survey has revealed that corruption is rampant in Malta, with a staggering 92% of citizens believing that corruption is widespread in their country.
Increased Perception of Corruption
The Eurobarometer poll, conducted between April and May this year, showed an alarming increase from last year’s figure, with 13 percentage points added to the previous tally. This marks a significant shift in public perception, indicating a growing sense of distrust in the government and institutions.
Institutions Prone to Corruption
According to the survey, Maltese citizens pinpoint political parties as the most corrupt, with 79% agreeing that bribes and abuse of power are widespread. Other institutions prone to corruption include:
- Building permits officials (65%)
- Those awarding public tenders
- Politicians
- Business permit officials
- Police and customs
- Courts
Lack of Protection for Whistleblowers
Despite the pervasive sense of corruption, a majority of Maltese citizens do not report instances of corruption due to a lack of protection for those who come forward. The survey found that:
- 24% more respondents decided not to file a report as there is no protection
- 49% believe reporting corruption would be pointless because those responsible will not be punished (an increase of eight percentage points from last year)
- 38% believe that those who report cases get into trouble with the police or other authorities (an increase of 16 percentage points)
Transparency and Supervision
The survey also shed light on the financing of political parties in Malta, where only 10% of respondents agree there is sufficient transparency and supervision. This marks a significant decrease from last year’s figure, down by 19 percentage points.
Business Culture and Bribery
The majority of Maltese citizens (84%) believe that bribery and the use of connections is often the easiest way to obtain certain public services in their country, an increase of seven percentage points. Additionally:
- 87% agree that corruption is part of the business culture in Malta
- 91% agree that too-close links between business and politics lead to corruption
Distrust in the Judicial System
Finally, the poll revealed that few Maltese citizens believe there are enough successful prosecutions to deter people from corrupt practices, with only 15% agreeing that this is the case. In fact:
- 80% disagree with this statement, indicating a deep-seated distrust in the country’s judicial system
- Only a small percentage (15%) believe there are sufficient successful prosecutions to deter corruption
Overall, the survey highlights the pervasive nature of corruption in Malta and the need for urgent action to address these issues.