Hungary has recently come under fire for accusations of being the most corrupt country in the European Union. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán faced criticism from his political rival, MEP Péter Magyar, who accused him of ruining Hungary’s reputation by allowing corruption to flourish. However, the claim that Hungary is the most corrupt country in the EU depends on the metric being used to measure corruption. According to Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index, Hungary ranks at the bottom of all EU countries with a score of 42 out of 100.
While Hungary may rank poorly in terms of corruption perception within the EU, when looking at Europe as a whole, Russia actually has the highest level of financial crime according to Transparency International. The Eurobarometer’s 2024 survey on EU citizens’ attitudes towards corruption found that 68% of Europeans consider corruption to be widespread in their country. Greece was perceived to have the worst corruption issue by its citizens, followed by Portugal and Malta. Hungary, while not at the top of the list, still had a majority of its citizens, 88%, believing corruption to be prevalent.
Despite the accusations and rankings, European citizens in general feel that their governments are not doing enough to combat corruption. A majority of citizens believe that high-level corruption cases are not pursued effectively and that government efforts to combat illicit funds are not sufficient. This sentiment is reflected in the overall perception of corruption within European countries. While rankings may vary depending on the metric used, the general consensus is that corruption is a prevalent issue that needs to be addressed more effectively by governments across the continent.
In response to the accusations and rankings, the Hungarian government has faced scrutiny for what Transparency International has described as a “systemic breach of the rule of law” that has allowed corruption to thrive unchecked. The attempts to silence critics have further highlighted concerns about the government’s commitment to protecting the status quo. Despite these challenges, it is clear that addressing corruption will require a concerted effort from both the government and citizens to create a more transparent and accountable society.
In conclusion, while Hungary may not be the most corrupt country in the EU, it still faces significant challenges in combating corruption and improving its reputation on the international stage. The varying rankings and perceptions of corruption within European countries highlight the need for greater transparency and accountability in government practices. By addressing these issues head-on and working towards creating a more ethical and accountable society, countries like Hungary can begin to rebuild their reputation and improve their standing within the European community.
