Most Moldovans likely to admit to bribe - survey

Chisinau, 1 December /MOLDPRE/-Most people (96.7 per cent) appreciate that the level of corruption in the country is high, and they admit to solve problems informally, according to a sociological study carried out by the OPINIA Independent Service of Sociology and Information.

The study is measuring citizens’ perception of corruption and vulnerable sectors to unjustified incomes and properties, conflicts of interest and incompatibilities. The report was worked out within a project, Strengthening Capacity of the National Integrity Commission of Moldova.

About 15.5 per cent of respondents note that employees’ greed causes corruption. Another reason is the political control over public institutions (13.9 per cent), which implies politicizing law enforcement bodies.

On the other hand, 62 per cent of participants in the poll would admit to informally solve the problems by corruption actions, 21.1 per cent of them are willing to offer civil servant a reward or any service, if their problem would not otherwise have been settled.

“Systemic corruption destroys democracy, undermines functionality of state institutions and erodes the rule of law state and general credibility in the political system. Finally, it means less investment for sustainable development of the country and less chance to people, especially, those poor to benefit from better reforms and public services”, UN Resident Coordinator, UNDP Permanent Representative Dafina Gercheva said.

According to Gercheva, the report suggests that the roots of corruption are widespread not only in public sector, but also are fed by low awareness of people and its willingness to bribe.

“The report confirms Moldovans’ major concern about the corruption level in society and their desire to implement in a consistent and determined manner measures on effective combating the phenomenon at all levels and in all sectors”, the first collaborator of Romanian Embassy in Moldova, Adrian Birla, said.

The report examines in particular the people’s perception to the impact of National Integrity Commission’s activity. Thus, only 6.25 per cent of respondents notify a positive impact on non-declaration of incomes and property, most of them are waiting for an immediate effect after detecting irregularities.

“The opinion poll’s results will justify and fortify opportunity to reform the national anti-corruption system, as well as the National Integrity Commission”, the head of the National Integrity Commission, Anatolie Donciu, said.

The survey was elaborated in August-November 2015, on a national representative sample of 1,500 respondents.

(Reporter V. Bercu, editor A. Răileanu)