Anti-corruption issues – among the focuses in the European Commission's latest Rule of Law Report
The European Commission has recently published its 2021 Rule of Law Report and its country chapters, including on Lithuania. As in the previous year, a separate section of this Report is dedicated to anti-corruption issues.
The Report emphasizes that, according to sociological data, the level of corruption in the public sector remains relatively low. In the 2020 Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International, Lithuania scores 60/100 and ranks 35th globally. This perception has been relatively stable over the past five years.
The Report mentions the active role of the STT in detecting and investigating cases of corruption. In 2020, the STT started 69 pre-trial investigations, with 35 cases sent to Court. 60 corruption related cases ended with a fine and 5 cases with a suspended imprisonment sanction, while 2 cases ended with both suspended imprisonment and fine. Additionally, 6 high-level corruption cases were investigated or brought to court. A case of abuse of office by the Member of Parliament, which was recently brought to court, was specifically mentioned in the Report.
The European Commission notes in the Report that the legislative framework to tackle foreign bribery is adequate while implementation of international recommendations on the need to raise awareness on this issue needs further improvement. In this context, human and financial resources available to law enforcement are considered sufficient to perform the tasks but authorities point to the need to increase the number of law enforcement officials.
The Report also notes adoption of the new 2020-2022 Interinstitutional Action Plan implementing the National Anti-Corruption Programme 2015-2025, as well as a key role of the STT in monitoring the results of the plan. The European Commission notes, however, that as highlighted by the STT in its latest evaluation, building an environment resilient to corruption risks in all public administration bodies needs a more systematic approach and some measures remain to be implemented (one of them - the new Law on Corruption Prevention - was recently adopted by the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania). The Report also mentions that Lithuania plans to draft and adopt a new National Anti-Corruption Agenda (2022-2033) in 2021, replacing the current National Anti-Corruption Programme.
The Report also emphasizes a new initiative launched by the President of the Republic and the STT - the Integrity Academy, which was inaugurated in 2020. The main objective of the newly established Academy is to bring together experts and institutions to exchange best practices in the prevention of corruption and to provide specialised anti-corruption training.
The Report places special focus on measures to manage corruption risks during the COVID-19 pandemic. The amendment to the Law on Public Procurement entered into force in July 2020 and it aims at preventing the participation to public procurement of doubtful suppliers trying to profit from the emergency situation. A specific reference is made for international procurement using unannounced negotiated procedures where the contracting authorities should consult with several other national authorities, including the STT, in order to acquire as much information as possible on the supplier.
After the COVID-19 outbreak, the Government approved a EUR 5 billion plan to support the economy and limit the spread of the pandemic. The Report notes that the STT has issued a number of recommendations aimed at ensuring transparency and reducing corruption risks. The STT's proposal to create a single online platform to disclose information about the implementation of the COVID-19 plan was highlighted.
The European Commission's Report also focuses on the new legislation on the adjustment of public and private interests, on lobbying, the launch of the PINREG information system, and the protection of whistle-blowers. Other sections of the Report provide an overview of the justice system, media pluralism and media freedom, and other constitutional issues.
The published report is available on the European Commission's website:
