Corruption wanes in Kosovo
The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2023 published by Transparency International on Tuesday January 30 shows that in most countries, the fight against public sector corruption has made little or no progress.
While the NGO's findings apply to the Balkans, a number of countries in the region are showing a downward trend in corruption, starting with Kosovo, which, with a score of 41, shows the best progress. Kosovo is now one of the top 6 countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and ranks 83rd in the world, up 21 places on the CPI 2020.
The decline in corruption in Kosovo over the past four years coincides with Albin Kurti's government coming to power in February 2021. The Prime Minister has made the fight against corruption a top priority for the country.
In particular, he has created the KAB (Kosovo Anti-Corruption Agency), a new anti-corruption agency that has provided the Ministry of Justice with the means to investigate corruption and prosecute criminals.
Investigations have already been opened against a dozen powerful individuals. Proof that the State seems determined to put a stop to corruption.
The Prime Minister has also strengthened the independence of the judiciary by increasing the justice budget. At the same time, the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa OSMANI, has appointed judges and prosecutors with integrity. The idea is to establish transparency and ethics to ensure an effective fight against corruption throughout the country.
With transparency in mind, the government has also introduced a new law requiring companies to publish their financial accounts.
Albin Kurti asserts that the country has made progress in terms of legislation and institution-building, and that "this is reflected in actual convictions in corruption cases, and particularly emblematic cases are those involving businessmen or high-level civil servants".
In addition to Transparency International, other major players, such as the Gap Institute, praise the Executive's efforts and results in the fight against corruption. According to a survey carried out by the think tank in 2023, 62% of Kosovars believe that corruption has decreased since Kurti came to power.
As a reminder, the Gap Institute is a renowned think tank focusing on Kosovo's pressing economic, political and social challenges. It strives to bridge the gap between government and citizens, between problems and solutions, to move Kosovar society forward.