As the general election gets closer, it is corruption and other ‘scandals’ that are taking centre stage of the campaign, rather than the programmes proposed by the political parties.
This is no different from what usually happens in most other democratic countries. Still, it does seem that cases of corruption and impropriety appear to be picking up steadily, shocking the country to the bone, as scandals in the judiciary have already done.
Corruption and impropriety have surfaced in so many areas that people are becoming seriously concerned about the rapid decline in the country’s moral fibre.
From the judiciary to sport, few sectors have escaped the taint of corruption and the allegations being made at present are strengthening the feeling that corruption is becoming more widespread.
It is easy for the two main political parties to hurl accusations against each other, however, beyond their uncontrolled natural political urge to blame each other, there would seem to a strong need for the country to take an apolitical look at what is happening in a bid to re-examine the country’s conscience.
This is, of course, too much to ask for when the electoral campaign is at its height , yet, once the election is over and the dust settles, the country needs to wake up to the situation and see what can be done to check the trend.
Corruption takes several forms, not just kickbacks on purchases, nepotism in appointments or turning a blind eye to crime. Politicians are at times confused what constitutes corruption, as shown by the financial crisis unleashed by the collapse of Lehman Brothers.
Lack of oversight and transparency can often lead to corruption, which is why it is so essential to have in place regulatory bodies and other institutional mechanisms that work against abuse and take action to ensure accountability.
Perhaps one of the most bizarre statements made in recent times was that by Silvio Berlusconi, the former Italian Prime Minister who is attempting to make a political comeback.
As Transparency International aptly remarked, Mr Berlusconi turned corruption on its head when he said in a televised interview following the arrest of the former CEO of an Italian defence company that “bribes are a phenomenon that exists and it’s useless to deny the existence of these necessary situations”.
Last year, Malta slipped four places in Transparency International’s corruption index. Considering the cases surfacing today, the fall will most certainly be steeper in its next index.
A year ago, a large majority of Maltese thought that corruption in this tiny island is a major problem. A Eurobarometer survey had found that most felt that the issue was particularly serious among institutions involving the granting of building permits, politicians and the judiciary. Half the number of Maltese respondents said that links between business and politicians were too close and 40 per cent thought that politicians did not do enough to fight corruption.
Since the publication of that survey, the judiciary has sunk deeper into the rut and politicians cannot be said to be exactly enjoying a good reputation either. The general perception, in fact, is that they are not fully accountable.
Now is the time for voters to be careful whom to elect as their representatives in Parliament. Politicians generally try to impress with their rhetoric (most are lawyers!) but what voters ought to look for before ticking the box next to the name on the ballot paper is whether their choice are honest, hardworking and, most of all, transparent and fully accountable.
Anti-corruption mechanisms ought to be considerably strengthened to ensure propriety under any administration.