The EC published today, 13 July, the latest Special Eurobarometer on Corruption, listing citizens’ perceptions and experiences, as well as the Flash Eurobarometer on the attitudes of businesses to corruption in the EU. Corruption remains a serious problem for EU citizens: 68 % of them believe that corruption is still widespread in their country. For 63 % of EU businesses, corruption is also a widespread problem in their country. 37 % of respondents believe that anti-corruption measures are applied impartially and without hidden purposes. 34 % of EU citizens believe that sufficient prosecutions are successful to discourage people from engaging in corruption practices and that their national government’s efforts to fight corruption are effective (31 %). And 31 % believe that transparency and control over the funding of political parties in their country is sufficient. Corruption remains a serious problem: 72% of respondents believe that, in Romania, corruption is still widespread (68% European average). For 88% of Romanian companies, corruption is also a widespread problem, with the EU average of 63%. 42% of respondents consider that, in Romania, anti-corruption measures are applied impartially and without hidden purposes (38% for EU-27). 37% of Romanian respondents believe that the government's efforts to combat corruption are effective (31% European average), and 40% believe that transparency and control over the financing of political parties in Romania are sufficient (31% EU-27 average). Eurobarometer surveys are an important source of information for the Commission’s assessments, including rule of law reports. Under the EU Rule of Law Mechanism, the Commission encourages the fight against corruption to promote a rule of law culture in all EU countries. The 2022 Rule of Law Report will, for the first time, contain specific recommendations addressed to Member States, in particular on the fight against corruption. In May, the Commission presented a proposal for a directive on asset recovery and confiscation to ensure that crime and corruption are not profitable, limiting the ability of criminals to commit new crimes. In addition, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office is operational and has already blocked and confiscated assets from criminals worth several million euros.
The Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, Daniel, congratulated Pope Leo XIV for succeeding Pope Francis on Thursday, May 8. He expressed confidence that the new pope will continue to promote "the spirit of dialogue, peace, and cooperation between the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church." "In a world facing multiple spiritual, economic, and […]
The organizers of the Untold festival announced they will offer a RON 150 (EUR 30) voucher toward the purchase of a festival pass to anyone who votes on May 18, during the second round of the presidential elections. In an online message, Untold representatives emphasized the connection between civic participation and the future of every […]
The Open Streets program, which sees the city's major arteries close for car traffic and become pedestrian areas, returns this weekend with a program of exhibitions, concerts, and a Festival of Lights. On Saturday, May 10, at 2:00 p.m., the public is invited to the Made in Romania exhibition, which presents a selection of civilian […]
Joseph Stiglitz, the famous economist and professor at Columbia University in New York, and winner of the Nobel Prize in economy in 2001, told an audience in Cluj, Romania, that governments must stimulate exports and key sectors when facing deficits. Stiglitz was in Romania on Thursday, May 8, to receive the title of Doctor Honoris […]
The Constitutional Court unanimously validated on Friday, May 9, the results of the first round of the presidential elections. It also rejected as unfounded a request to annul the elections filed by Sebastian-Constantin Popescu, the presidential candidate of the New Romania Party, it announced. The runoff, set for May 18, will see ultranationalist leader George […]
Bucharest's culinary scene welcomes back OLEA, the JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel's celebrated Mediterranean destination, now reimagined with a fresh concept that blends authentic coastal flavours with contemporary sophistication. Following an extensive transformation, OLEA reopens its doors to offer guests a refined journey through the Mediterranean's sun-drenched culinary traditions, right in the heart of Romania's […]
