According Transparency International’s report “People and Corruption: Europe and Central Asia,” Albania is in the bottom three of European countries with the most corrupt political class. Transparency International is one of the most prominent global corruption watchdogs.
The report presents a survey of 42 countries in Europe and Central Asia based on interviews with 60,000 citizens about their experience with corruption, conducted from January to March 2016. In Albania 1,500 people were interviewed.
Findings in the report state that 55% of the Albanian population consider Members of Parliament very corrupt. This number is only higher in Moldova and the Ukraine.
Similarly, Albanian citizens consider the practice of bribing in exchange for public services common. 34% of the Albanian interviewees confirms having paid a bribe in exchange for a public service.
According to the report, corruption in Albania is experienced as a moderately important issue, and government action to fight corruption is perceived to be moderately effective.
Just a few days ago, the European Commission stressed in its annual progress report that “corruption remains prevalent in many areas and continues to be a serious problem.”
