Vigenin: Corruption takes money away from hospitals, schools and social services

“Corruption is a real problem. It undermines trust in democracy and diverts money from hospitals, schools, infrastructure and social services. According to the most pessimistic estimates cited in the draft resolution, it costs the European Union close to EUR 1 trillion a year.” This was stated by Bulgarian MEP Kristian Vigenin, of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, during the plenary debate in Strasbourg on the upcoming EU Anti-Corruption Strategy. Today the European Parliament adopted the document, calling on the European Commission to propose concrete measures to prevent, detect and sanction corrupt practices. Parliament calls for a common European approach, better coordination between member states and more effective enforcement of the rules in order to protect democratic institutions, EU funds and the rule of law.

Independent anti-corruption bodies

In the debate, Kristian Vigenin called for genuinely independent anti-corruption bodies with enough staff and resources. He explicitly warned that they must be protected against being weakened or politicised. Vigenin stressed the need for better coordination between the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, OLAF, Europol and national authorities.

Public procurement and EU funds

“We also place special emphasis on public procurement, where weak control remains a problem in many countries. And for the future EU budget, we propose that national programmes include concrete and measurable anti-corruption targets,” the MEP said in his speech. He noted that this matters for Bulgaria too: “Not formal implementation of reforms, but institutions that work and EU funds that actually reach citizens.”

Vigenin concluded that the big challenge is for the strategy to be implemented and to deliver results.