Containing corruption

Poland ranked 61st and scored 3.7 points in Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index (CPI) - the worst of all EU member states, and lower than future member Bulgaria. The CPI score relates to the degree of corruption as seen by businesspeople and country analysts. The scores range between 10 - which describes a corruption-free environment - and 0, which means corruption pervades society.

According to Małgorzata Wojciechowska-Brennek, president of Transparency International Polska, this is the first time Poland's CPI score has grown, which is something that should be seen as highly positive, regardless of the low ranking. In 2005 Poland's CPI score was 3.4.

"Poland's government is not only making plans, but has already taken some action," she said. "It has established the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau and arrests officials who have so far been considered untouchable."

Wojciechowska-Brennek says that corruption prevention measures should be introduced in Poland and recommends implementing laws that would increase the responsibility of public-administration officers.

The authors of the report make a significant connection between corruption and poverty, which is particularly evident in the countries at the bottom of Transparency International's ranking, such as Haiti, Sudan and Congo.

But corruption also has an impact on Poland's economy. In Wojciechowska-Brennek's opinion, instead of raising taxes in an attempt to repair Poland's budget, the government should close the holes through which money leaks away.

"Funds should be spent in a more reasonable way, and this would improve the country's wealth," she said.

The publication of the Transparency International report coincided with a United Nations Conference on anti-corruption measures, good governance and human rights, which was held in Warsaw last week.