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Corruption Worsens Across EU, Hungary Ranks Lowest in Transparency International’s Index
Corruption in the European Union has worsened for the second consecutive year, according to Transparency International’s (TI) annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), released on Tuesday. The report highlighted Hungary as the EU’s worst performer, while Denmark maintained its position as the least corrupt country in the bloc.
The CPI, which measures perceptions of public sector corruption using data from 13 sources, including the World Bank and private risk firms, scores countries on a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). This year, the average score for Western Europe and the EU dropped to 64, down from 65 in 2023. TI noted that this marks the first decline in the region’s score in over a decade.
The report warned that Europe’s declining ability to combat corruption is undermining its capacity to address critical challenges, including the climate crisis, weakening rule of law, and overburdened public services. Analysts pointed to long-standing issues such as legal loopholes, poor enforcement, and resource shortages as key barriers to effective anti-corruption efforts. However, they also criticized some governments for actively undermining anti-corruption frameworks and politicizing the rule of law.
Hungary and Slovakia Under Scrutiny
Hungary scored 41, the lowest in the region, reflecting what TI described as “systemic corruption and a continuous decline of the rule of law” under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s 15-year leadership. The report referenced recent U.S. sanctions against Hungarian official Antal Rogán, a close ally of Orbán, for alleged corruption in awarding public contracts to political allies. Orbán and his ruling Fidesz party have consistently denied corruption allegations.
Slovakia, meanwhile, saw its score drop by five points to 49, its lowest since Prime Minister Robert Fico returned to power. TI flagged the country as one to watch, citing reforms that weaken anti-corruption checks and bypass public consultation. Recent large-scale protests in Bratislava have accused Fico of undermining democratic values and aligning closer to Russia. Fico has dismissed the protests as attempts to overthrow his government.
Major Economies Backslide
France and Germany, two of the EU’s largest economies, also saw declines in their scores. France dropped four points to 67, while Germany fell three points to 75. TI attributed these declines partly to the influence of corporate lobbyists on climate policy, highlighting the intersection of corruption and the climate crisis.
The report emphasized that inadequate transparency and accountability mechanisms increase the risk of misusing climate funds, while conflicts of interest and lobbying by polluting industries hinder ambitious climate action. “These factors obstruct the adoption of policies needed to address climate change, favoring narrow interests over the common good,” TI stated.
Global Trends
Globally, the CPI’s average score remained unchanged at 43, with over two-thirds of countries scoring below 50. Denmark topped the global ranking with 90 points, followed by Finland (88) and Singapore (84). At the other end of the spectrum, South Sudan scored just eight points, replacing Somalia as the world’s worst performer.
TI’s findings underscore the urgent need for stronger anti-corruption measures worldwide, particularly as corruption continues to hinder efforts to address pressing global challenges like climate change and democratic erosion.
News
Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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