About: corruption
Populism and cozy ties with Russia and China: Vucic takes Serbia further away from EU
European tolerance has greatly contributed to Serbian President Alexander Vučić and the ruling Serbian Progressive Party's establishing an authoritarian system that has nothing to do with the rule of law, writes Svetla Miteva.
Sleaze scandal infects UK politics amid Covid spending spree
A drip-feed of revelations over the collapse of an opaque financial firm is raising serious questions about cosy ties between UK politicians, civil servants and big business as the government spends lavishly on fighting the coronavirus pandemic.
Cypriot says business ‘stolen’ in Bulgaria, hopes EPPO will investigate
Stealing a successful business in Bulgaria is commonplace, although this mafia-like practice is little documented. A Cypriot businessman has told his story to EURACTIV, hoping that the Office of the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) would investigate further.
The EverGiven effect and the ‘controlled vote’ in Bulgaria
This week on EURACTIV’s Yellow Room, we are talking about the EverGiven cargo ship blocking Egypt’s Suez Canal for nearly one week, the impact this had on transport and the economy before it was freed on Monday.
EU Commission faces lawsuit unless it acts fast on rule of law conditionality
The European Parliament is set to pass a resolution warning that it will sue the European Commission unless the EU executive arm applies new legislation that makes access to billions of EU funds conditional on respecting the rule of law.
Graft, lockdown and police violence stir anger in Cyprus
Thousands of Cypriot protesters have staged large demonstrations in past weeks, angered by months of lockdown, economic woes and a string of corruption scandals, as well as a rare police crackdown.
Ukrainian minister says corruption accusations hit vaccine procurement
The Ukrainian health minister said on Tuesday (16 February) that Kyiv’s coronavirus vaccine purchases were being hampered by “dirty information attacks” that have triggered a corruption investigation against his ministry.
Cypriots protest against corruption, virus restrictions
Cypriot police on Saturday (13 February) used water cannon and tear gas to break up a rare protest in the capital, as hundreds demonstrated against government corruption and coronavirus restrictions.
New trial kicks off against former treasurer of Spain’s Popular Party
A new trial against the former treasurer of Spain’s Popular Party (PP) Luis Bárcenas for the use of alleged illegal money to refurbish the headquarters of the conservative party in Madrid kicked off in the Spanish capital on Monday (8 February). EURACTIV’s partner EFE reported.
Citing ‘systemic’ fraud, Commission pushes Hungary to change procurement
The European Union's executive has told Hungary to reform its public procurement laws to curb "systemic fraud" before billions of euros from the EU pandemic recovery fund become available, according to an internal document seen by Reuters.
Cyprus to launch anti-graft reforms after passport scandal
Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades said Thursday (28 January) his government would announce major anti-graft reforms after it scrapped its controversial passport-for-investment scheme last year.
Navalny makes allegations of Putin wealth ahead of protests
Alexei Navalny, President Vladimir Putin's most prominent critic who was jailed at the weekend, released a video in which he and his allies alleged that an opulent palace belonged to the Russian leader, a claim the Kremlin denied.
Estonian PM Ratas resigns awaiting corruption charges
Estonian Prime Minister Jüri Ratas resigned on Wednesday (13 January) after an enquiry into a property development project in the capital which could see him accused of corruption.
Russian court sentences Kazakh kleptocrat to 15 years in prison
A Russian court sentenced on Tuesday (29 December) the former chairman of Kazakh BTA Bank's board of directors, Mukhtar Ablyazov, to 15 years in prison, Russian media reported. The story of Ablyazov, a fugitive for years, has been turned into a book as a striking example of the ability of post-Soviet kleptocrats to benefit from Western “hospitality”.
New Montenegro PM vows to fight graft in quest for EU
Montenegro's new prime minister predicted Tuesday (15 December) that his country would be the next to join the European Union and vowed to fight the political corruption that has tarnished its reputation.
Repayable support: no silver bullet but a means to tackle EU funds graft
Increasing the role of loans and guarantees utilised to narrow the disparities between European regions may help combat the misuse of EU funds but cannot replace the role of accountability, transparency and sound domestic institutions.
Fiscal reform, corruption in focus in Romania parliamentary election
Romanians head to the polls on Sunday (6 December) in a national ballot key to restoring the country's reputation among investors, with the incumbent, reform-oriented centrists of Prime Minister Ludovic Orban holding a narrow lead over opposition Social Democrats.
Waste and corruption at heart Frugals’ citizen concerns, poll suggests
The way EU money is spent and doubts about its recipients are more of a concern than the actual size of spending for the population of countries traditionally thought of as fiscally conservative, according to a poll conducted by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) think tank.
Back me or put IMF loans at risk, Ukraine’s president warns
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned on Monday (2 November) that foreign aid loans and a visa-free deal with the European Union were under threat if parliament did not restore anti-corruption reforms, saying the country could slide into "bloody chaos".
Ukrainian president plays down impact of court rulings after IMF loan delays
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Tuesday (27 October) promised to keep Ukraine's fight against corruption on track after two separate rulings by the constitutional court threatened to derail reforms needed under a $5 billion International Monetary Fund deal.
EPP chief Tusk: ‘Borissov confessed to me, he made obvious mistakes’
The leader of the European People’s Party, Donald Tusk, said the Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov had “confessed" to him about a scandal with leaked photos allegedly revealing his hidden wealth. Tusk revealed no details but said that what he had heard sounded like “a crime movie”.
Tired but defiant: 100 days of protests in Bulgaria
In a hundred days of sweeping and at times violent protests, thousands of Bulgarians have tightened the screws on the political elite -- but this, they say, is only the beginning.
Jourova promises action plan to protect independent journalism
The European Commission (EC) will present by the end of the year an action plan to protect independent journalism, Commission Vice President Věra Jourová announced on Monday (12 October) during the conference "Media Freedom in Bulgaria", organised by EURACTIV Bulgaria.