About: anti-corruption
Kovesi will succeed only if media freedom is kept alive
Laura Codruta Kovesi, Romania's former chief anti-corruption prosecutor, is expected to be approved as the new head of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. Iveta Cherneva argues that the lack of media freedom in countries like Bulgaria will make it exceptionally difficult for Kovesi to uncover crimes involving EU funding.
The case for corruption criteria in EU global human rights sanctions
The EU must join the US and include corruption in its own sanctions regime on human rights, argue Sarah Gardiner and Rachel Owens.
MEPs support Kövesi for chief EU prosecutor, defying member states
The European Parliament chose Romania's former anti-corruption chief Laura Codruţa Kövesi as its top pick for the EU’s first-ever chief prosecutor on Wednesday (27 February), setting itself on a collision course with the member states, which had opted for Kövesi's French rival.
Romania investigates Timmermans and Jourova, Commission says they have immunity
The relations between Bucharest and Brussels hit an all-time low on Thursday (21 February) as the Romanian press reported that the Commission First Vice President Frans Timmermans and Justice Commissioner Věra Jourová are under investigation for “falsification” of the last Cooperation and Verification report (CVM).
Why Europe should back a robust whistleblowers directive
Those who report corruption, criminal acts and breaches of public trust must be protected, writes Martin Jefflén, who calls for lowering the barriers when it comes to reporting wrongdoing in the corporate sphere.
Romania’s tug of war over rule of law nears the line
A power struggle between Romania’s government and judiciary is reaching a tipping point that risks driving a new wedge between the European Union and its eastern members over democratic standards. Justice Minister Tudorel Toader has said he will soon decide...
Romanian magistrates rally to support rule of law
Hundreds of Romanian magistrates held a silent protest in support of an independent judiciary in capital Bucharest on Sunday (16 September) after a slew of legal changes by the ruling Social Democrats in one of the European Union's most corrupt states.
Romania’s president removes chief anti-corruption prosecutor
Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis sacked chief anti-corruption prosecutor Laura Codruța Kövesi on Monday (9 July) to honour a constitutional court ruling which Kövesi said may leave prosecutors exposed to political interference.
Ukrainian reforms – is the glass half full or half empty?
Over the last four years, Ukraine has made some tremendous changes to become a functioning market economy and a liberal democracy, a feat which is scarcely recognised by others, writes Ivan Miklos.
Dacian Ciolos: ‘We need to show Romanians that politics is not the mafia’
As Romania prepares to hold the rotating EU presidency at the start of 2019, EURACTIV met with Dacian Cioloș. The former prime minister and agriculture Commissioner has just set up a party in Romania similar to Emmanuel Macron's En Marche, with one eye on the European elections.
Romania Constitutional Court orders President to sack chief anti-graft prosecutor
Romania’s Constitutional Court decided on Wednesday (30 May) that President Klaus Iohannis must dismiss the chief prosecutor of the Anticorruption Directorate (DNA), who has been praised by Brussels and Washington for tackling corruption.
Campaigners hail ‘significant’ UK move on tax havens
Britain's historic decision to compel its overseas territories to identify the owners of registered companies marks a "significant" moment in the global crackdown on dirty money, campaigners said Wednesday (2 May).
Kiev mayor Klitschko: “Every day is like a fight”
Former boxing champion Vitali Klitschko spoke to EURACTIV's media partner "Der Tagesspiegel" about his work as the mayor of Kiev, the sanctions against Russia and his personal plans for the future.
Latvia’s chief banker arrested by anti-corruption officials
Anti-corruption authorities in Latvia have arrested the governor of the country's central bank, Ilmars Rimsevics, the government said Sunday, while assuring there is "no sign of danger" to the financial system.
Corruption – is there a cure?
Curbing corruption is not a quick-fix and there is no single universal cure for it. However, there is more hope than ever that the endemic spread of corruption can be contained and ultimately reduced, argues Adina Turk.
Romanian anti-graft prosecutors charge head of ruling party
Romania's National Anti-corruption Directorate (DNA) has charged Liviu Dragnea, the leader of the ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD), on suspicion of forming a 'criminal group' to funnel European Union funds, after an investigation by the EU's anti-corruption body OLAF.
‘Golden visas’ candidates should be thoroughly screened
The EU is bribing Libya to prevent desperate young men and women reaching the safety of our shores, while member states open wide their doors to corrupt foreign politicians who can buy ‘golden visas’, writes Ana Gomes.
Romania fears ‘two-speed Europe’ will be new Iron Curtain
The president of the Romanian Senate today (20 April) shared his concerns with Frans Timmermans about the idea of a ‘two-speed Europe’, insisting the EU should learn from the lessons of the communist period. EURACTIV Romania reports.
EU watchdog opens probe into Barrosogate
Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly began investigating the Commission’s handling of the Barrosogate scandal today (28 February).
Thousands form huge EU flag during Bucharest protest
Thousands protested in the Romanian capital Bucharest yesterday (26 February) against the Social Democrat government that tried to weaken a crackdown on corruption earlier this month.
Romanian justice minister quits after graft decree debacle
Romanian Justice Minister Florin Iordache resigned on Thursday (9 February) after a decree on corruption that he drafted triggered a week of street protests, international criticism and finally an embarrassing climbdown by the month-old government.
Romanian president berates government, rules out early elections
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis yesterday (7 February) rebuked the government for doing "too little" to resolve the crisis rocking the country over a corruption decree, but stopped short of calling for its resignation.
Inside Romania’s protests
Despite a wave of similar grassroots anti-government protests elsewhere, particularly in the US, the roots of the present wave of protests in Romania lie in the political and economic failures of the country’s post-communist transition, writes Bogdan Enache.