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{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see ] -->

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Political corruption sidebar|image=]}} {{Political corruption sidebar|image=]}}
'''Corruption in Lithuania''' is examined on this page.


'''Corruption in Lithuania''' describes the prevention and occurrence of ] in ].
⚫ == Extent ==

According to 2016 results of Corruption Perception Index of Transparency International, Lithuania ranks 38th place out of 176 countries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.transparency.org/news/feature/corruption_perceptions_index_2016|title=Corruption Perception Index 2016|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref> According to European Commission anti-corruption report, Lithuania was the most corrupt country within the European Union <ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20170923075013/http://www.ve.lt/naujienos/lietuva/lietuvos-naujienos/lietuva---korumpuociausia-visoje-es-1143693/</ref> with 95% of citizens considering corruption to be widespread and a major problem. Lithuania had the highest amount of citizens who paid bribes in the past 12 months of any EU country, according to the anti corruption report from 2014. <ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20170923074955/https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/organized-crime-and-human-trafficking/corruption/anti-corruption-report_en</ref> An investigation made by Lithuanian government revealed that approximately half of Lithuanians will not even consider reporting corruption due to belief that it's hopleless to even try combat corruption.<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20170923113412/https://www.lrp.lt/lt/spaudos-centras/pranesimai-spaudai/atsakomybe-uz-korupcija-turi-buti-neisvengiama/24617</ref>
== Summary ==
The ] 2020 report by ] notes that corruption remains an issue in Lithuania, but gives high scores for the main related areas: strong and effective safeguards against official corruption (3 out of 4), government openness and transparency (3 out of 4), and an independent judiciary (3 out of 4).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://freedomhouse.org/country/lithuania/freedom-world/2020|title = Lithuania: Freedom in the World 2020 Country Report|website=Freedom House|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605195524/https://freedomhouse.org/country/lithuania/freedom-world/2020|archive-date=5 June 2021}}</ref>

The ''European Research Centre for Anti-Corruption and State-Building (ERCAS)'' notes that while Lithuania has a comprehensive anti-corruption legal base established, the law enforcement institutions are weak.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.againstcorruption.eu/reports/lithuania/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019160537/http://www.againstcorruption.eu/reports/lithuania/|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 October 2017|title=A Diagnosis of Corruption in Lithuania – ERCAS – European Research Centre for Anti-Corruption and State-Building|date=19 October 2017|access-date=18 November 2017}}</ref> In the Public Integrity Index 2019, published by the Centre, Lithuania ranks 30th out of 117 countries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://integrity-index.org/?yr=2019|title=Index of Public Integrity|website=European Research Centre for Anti-Corruption and State-Building|access-date=25 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123230250/https://integrity-index.org/?yr=2019|archive-date=23 January 2021}}</ref>

According to the ''Flash Eurobarometer 482: Businesses' attitudes towards corruption in the EU'', published by the ] in 2019, only 15% of business executives noted corruption as a problem when doing business.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Flash Eurobarometer 482: Businesses' attitudes towards corruption in the EU|url=https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/api/deliverable/download/file?deliverableId=71574|date=December 2019|access-date=25 August 2021|publisher=]}}</ref> The Lithuanian Map of Corruption 2019 report, published by the ], notes that the percentage of businesses that paid a ] has been gradually decreasing over the last decades, with only 9% of business paying it in the last 5 years and 5% in the last 12 months.<ref name="stt-report">{{cite web|title=The Lithuanian Map of Corruption: Businesses' Attitudes and Experience|url=https://www.stt.lt/en/doclib/eson27mislvp1jq96245rg5rgk9e3wmx|first=Margarita|last=Švedkauskienė|access-date=25 August 2021|website=STT}}</ref>

According to the ''Global Corruption Barometer of the European Union in 2021'' (GCB EU 2021), 48% of Lithuanians think that the government is doing badly in fighting corruption while 42% think it's doing well, nearly matching the EU average of 49% and 43% respectively.<ref name="tp-eu">{{citation|title=Global Corruption Barometer, European Union 2021, Citizens' Views and Experiences of Corruption|url=https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/TI_GCB_EU_2021_web_2021-06-14-151758.pdf|date=June 2021|access-date=26 August 2021|publisher=Transparency International}}</ref>

⚫ === Extent ===

According to the ''GCB EU 2021'' report, people consider that the most corrupt institutions or individuals are: members of parliament (33%), business executives (27%), local government representatives and mayors (21%), judges and magistrates (21%).<ref name="tp-eu"/> The report notes the most common cases of bribery in the last 12 months by service: healthcare institutions (19%), identity documents (6%) and police (4%).<ref name="tp-eu"/>

''Lithuanian Map of Corruption 2019'' report, published by STT, provides an overview based on the surveys of population, company executives and public servants. According to the survey of people, the most common forms of corruption are: ], ] and bribery.<ref name="stt-report"/> The most common cases of corruption were perceived to be in: healthcare institutions, the courts, the parliament, municipalities and political parties.<ref name="stt-report"/>

According to a ''Baltijos tyrimai'' poll in 2019, the ] were trusted by 69% of people, the ] by 62%, and the ] by 55%.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pokyčiai visuomenės požiūryje į institucijas: pasitikėjimas bankais augo, Vyriausybe ir STT – krito|url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/1071897/pokyciai-visuomenes-poziuryje-i-institucijas-pasitikejimas-bankais-augo-vyriausybe-ir-stt-krito|date=22 June 2019|access-date=25 August 2021|website=LRT}}</ref> However, only 39% of people trusted the prosecutors and 33% trusted the courts. A survey conducted by ''Vilmorus'' in 2020 showed that the most corrupt areas perceived by the respondents were: healthcare (47%), the courts (37%) and the parliament (30%).<ref>{{cite web|title=Corruption on decline in Lithuania, survey suggests|url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1134369/corruption-on-decline-in-lithuania-survey-suggests|date=17 January 2020|access-date=25 August 2021|website=LRT}}</ref> The same survey notes that Lithuanians regard corruption as the fourth most acute problem in the country. Only 3% of the people surveyed admitted giving a bribe in the previous year.

=== International rankings ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! style="width:65%;"| Index
! style="width:15%;"| Rank
! style="width:20%;"| Countries reviewed
|-
|align="left"| ] 2023
| 34th|| 180
|-
|align="left"| ERCAS Public Integrity Index 2019
| 30th|| 117
|}
According to ]'s 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index, Lithuania ranked 34th among the 180 countries in the Index, where the country ranked first is perceived to have the most honest public sector. The Index scores countries on a scale from 0 ("highly corrupt") to 100 ("very clean") and then ranks the countries by score.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The ABCs of the CPI: How the Corruption Perceptions Index is calculated |url=https://www.transparency.org/en/news/how-cpi-scores-are-calculated |date=20 December 2021 |access-date=19 April 2024 |website=Transparency.org|language=en}}</ref> Lithuania's 2023 rank was based on a score of 61. For comparison with regional scores, the highest score among Western European and ] countries{{refn |Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom |group="Note"}} was 90, the average score was 65 and the lowest score was 42.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CPI 2023 for Western Europe & EU: Rule of law and political integrity threats undermine action against corruption |url=https://www.transparency.org/en/news/cpi-2023-west-europe-european-union-rule-of-law-political-integrity-threats-undermine-action-against-corruption |access-date=19 April 2024 |website=Transparency.org |language=en}}</ref> For comparison with worldwide scores, the best score was 90 (ranked 1), the average score was 43, and the worst score was 11 (ranked 180).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Corruption Perceptions Index 2023: Lithuania |url=https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2023/index/ltu |access-date=19 April 2024 |website=Transparency.org |language=en}}</ref>

== Anti-corruption mechanisms ==

] (abbreviated as STT, {{langx|lt|Specialiųjų tyrimų tarnyba}}) is the main law enforcement institution in Lithuania to combat corruption. Other law enforcement institutions also play a major role in combating the corruption. In particular, ] (abbreviated as FNTT, {{langx|lt|Finansinių nusikaltimų tyrimo tarnyba}}) investigates ] and major financial fraud activities. ] ({{langx|lt|Valstybės kontrolė}}) is the supreme audit institution which also supervises the lawfulness and effectiveness of management and use of state funds and resources.<ref>{{cite web|title=About the area of activity|url=https://www.valstybeskontrole.lt/EN/national-audit|access-date=25 August 2021|website=National Audit Office of Lithuania}}</ref>


In 2019, the Law on Protection of ] entered force, providing legal protection as well as remunerations and other measures for those who report corruption or other infringements.<ref>{{cite web|title=Republic of Lithuania - Law on Protection of Whistleblowers|url=https://prokuraturos.lt/data/public/uploads/2020/02/1.9-225-praneseju-apsaugos-istatymas-eng.pdf|date=28 November 2017|access-date=25 August 2021|publisher=Prosecutor General's Office of the Republic of Lithuania}}</ref> ] in Lithuania is regulated by the Lobbying Act 2001.<ref>{{cite web|title=Republic of Lithuania - Law on Lobbying Activities
According to Lithuanian president ], Lithuanian parliament's unwillingness to combat corruption is a major issue in the fight against corruption. In 2017, president's initiative to forbid a loophole allowing inflated procurement pricing and money laundering in public organizations was voted down by the parliament.<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20170923113513/https://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/lietuva/d-grybauskaite-ir-s-skvernelis-pries-lietuvos-gelezinkeliu-pinigu-kalykla-56-723520</ref><ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20170923113145/http://kaunas.kasvyksta.lt/2017/05/02/politika/d-grybauskaite-seime-nepakanka-politines-valios-kovoti-su-korupcija/</ref> There was a anti-corruption strategy introduced by the ] in 2011–2014 but details are publicly unavailable.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nations in Transit 2013- Lithuania|url=http://www.freedomhouse.org/report/nations-transit/2013/lithuania|work=Freedom House|publisher=Freedom House|accessdate=17 November 2013}}</ref>
|url=https://e-seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAD/9473b770a2a311e7a65c90dfe4655c64|date=27 June 2000|access-date=25 August 2021|publisher=Office of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania}}</ref> According to the EU Members' Research Service report from 2016, Lithuania is one of the few EU countries which has the code of conduct and a mandatory register for the lobbyists.<ref>{{cite web|title=Regulation of lobbying across the EU|url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/ATAG/2016/595830/EPRS_ATA(2016)595830_EN.pdf|date=December 2016|website=European Parliament|access-date=25 August 2021}}</ref>


== Anti-corruption conventions and organizations ==
As of 2017, there is very limited legal protection of ]s which undermines the government's anti-corruption efforts.<ref>{{cite web|title=Snapshot of the Lithuania Country Profile|url=http://www.business-anti-corruption.com/country-profiles/europe-central-asia/lithuania/snapshot.aspx|work=Business Anti-Corruption Portal|publisher=GAN Integrity Solutions|accessdate=17 November 2013}}</ref>
Annual survey done by ] revealed that 45% of Lithuania's citizens paid bribes in 2014 <ref>{{lt icon}} {{cite web |url=http://valstietis.tv3.lt/antra-kategorija/virs-lietuvos-sklendzia-korupcijos-seselis/|title=Virš Lietuvos sklendžia korupcijos šešėlis|publisher=TV3|accessdate=6 April 2017}}</ref> Lithuania's ] was estimated to be 29% of national GDP in 2012.<ref>{{lt icon}} {{cite web |url=http://www.ve.lt/naujienos/lietuva/lietuvos-naujienos/lietuva---korumpuociausia-visoje-es-1143693/|title=Lietuva - korumpuočiausia visoje ES |publisher=ve.lt|accessdate=6 April 2017}}</ref>. Societal trust towards the national political and legal systems is low overall. A survey from 2015 showed that 25% of citizens trust Lithuanian legal system and 10% trust ]<ref>{{lt icon}} {{cite web |url=http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/law/pasitikejimas-teismais-teigiamas-pirma-karta-per-du-desimtmecius.d?id=67806586|title=Pasitikėjimas teismais - teigiamas pirmą kartą per du dešimtmečius |publisher=delfi.lt|accessdate=6 April 2017}}</ref>
In 2016 and 2017 Lithuania had a large number of corruption scandals concerning politicians and public procurement. In nearly every case, no criminal charges were brought up. A study by Freedom House claims that corruption remains widespread in Lithuania and politicians regularly attempt to influence or undermine judicial decisions, compromising court independence.<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20170923144310/https://freedomhouse.org/report/nations-transit/2013/lithuania</ref>


Lithuania participates in:
== Notable cases ==
* The ] (GRECO) (founding state; 1 May 1999)<ref>{{cite web|title=20th General Activity Report (2019) of the Group of States against Corruption|url=https://rm.coe.int/20th-general-activity-report-2019-of-the-group-of-states-against-corru/16809e8fe4|date=25 March 2020|access-date=25 August 2021|publisher=European Public Prosecutor’s Office}}</ref>
* UN ] (ratified on 9 May 2002)<ref>{{cite web|title=United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime|url=https://treaties.un.org/pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XVIII-12&chapter=18&clang=_en|access-date=25 August 2021|publisher=United Nations|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716204129/https://treaties.un.org/pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XVIII-12&chapter=18&clang=_en|archive-date=16 July 2021}}</ref>
* ] Criminal Law Convention on Corruption (ratified on 8 March 2002)<ref>{{cite web|title=Chart of signatures and ratifications of Treaty 191|url=https://www.coe.int/en/web/conventions/full-list?module=signatures-by-treaty&treatynum=191|access-date=25 August 2021|publisher=Council of Europe}}</ref>
* ] Civil Law Convention on Corruption (ratified on 17 January 2003)<ref>{{cite web|title=Chart of signatures and ratifications of Treaty 174|url=https://www.coe.int/en/web/conventions/full-list/-/conventions/treaty/174/signatures?module=signatures-by-treaty&treatynum=174|access-date=25 August 2021|publisher=Council of Europe}}</ref>
* ] (ratified on 21 December 2006)<ref>{{cite web|title=Signature and Ratification Status|url=https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/corruption/ratification-status.html|date=11 August 2021|website=United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime|access-date=25 August 2021}}</ref>
* ] (IACA) (ratified on 22 March 2013)<ref>{{cite web|title=Parties and Signatories|url=https://www.iaca.int/who-we-are/constituency-menu/parties-and-signatories.html|publisher=International Anti-Corruption Academy|access-date=25 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818110557/https://www.iaca.int/who-we-are/constituency-menu/parties-and-signatories.html|archive-date=18 August 2021}}</ref>
* ] (ratified on 16 May 2017)


==See also==
== Examples post-2016 ==
* ]
* In 2016, Lithuanian public energy company came under fire for purchasing supplies well above the market prices. <ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20170922220840/https://www.15min.lt/verslas/naujiena/bendroves/auksiniu-saukstu-skandala-keicia-auksiniai-kabeliai-663-685785</ref> As of September of 2017, no charges have been brought against any employees of the company.
* ]
* In 2016, ], leader of the ], a prominent political party in Lithuania was arrested with 106 thousand euros in cash in a box of an alcoholic beverage. It is suspected that the money is a bribe by MG Baltic, a Lithuanian investment firm.<ref>{{lt icon}} {{cite web |url=http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/e-masiulio-byla-i-ka-buvo-idetas-kysis-ir-kas-tie-slaptieji-prokurorai.d?id=71393790|title= E. Masiulio byla: į ką buvo įdėtas kyšis ir kas tie slaptieji prokurorai|publisher=delfi.lt|accessdate=5 April 2017}}</ref> During a subsequent search of Masiulis apartment, 250 thousand euros in cash have been found. As of April 2017, no charges have been pressed against Masiulis and no official comments from the prosecutor's office have been presented.
* In 2016, ŽŪMPRRA, an agency providing food support to the Lithuania's poor and financed by the EU bought food supplies significantly above the market price.<ref>{{lt icon}} {{cite web |url=http://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/lietuva/skandalas-rinkos-reguliavimo-agenturoje-varguoliams-skirtos-kruopos-ir-miltai-kainuoja-kaip-auksiniai-56-569737|title= Skandalas Rinkos reguliavimo agentūroje: varguoliams skirtos kruopos ir miltai kainuoja kaip auksiniai|publisher=15min.lt|accessdate=5 April 2017}}</ref>
* In 2016, several politicians in ], Lithuania's second largest city were sued by the new city administration for having fictional employment - receiving large salaries without ever coming to work.<ref>{{lt icon}} {{cite web |url=http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/kauno-politike-priversta-pasiaiskinti-nieko-nedirbo-bet-gavo-1500-euru-atlyginima.d?id=72976340|title= Kauno politikė priversta pasiaiškinti: nieko nedirbo, bet gavo 1500 eurų atlyginimą?|publisher=delfi.lt|accessdate=5 April 2017}}</ref>
* In 2016, a politician in ] was arrested with suspicions that his newly built 210 square meter house was a bribe, given to him by a private company (government contractor).<ref>{{lt icon}} {{cite web |url=http://bustas.lrytas.lt/nekilnojamasis-turtas/stai-koks-namas-atiteko-kysininkavimu-itariamam-kauno-rajono-valdininkui-20161201150300.htm|title= Štai koks namas atiteko kyšininkavimu įtariamam Kauno rajono valdininkui|publisher=lrytas.lt|accessdate=5 April 2017}}</ref>
* In 2017, the head of state-owned Šilainių poliklinika, one of the largest hospitals in Kaunas was sued for corruption. His son was one of the main suppliers to the hospital and these supplier contracts were very unfavorable for the hospital.<ref>{{lt icon}} {{cite web |url=http://www.respublika.lt/lt/naujienos/lietuva/nusikaltimai_ir_nelaimes/kauno_savivaldybe_kreipesi_i_teisma_del_silainiu_poliklinikos_sutarciu/|title= Kauno savivaldybė kreipėsi į teismą dėl Šilainių poliklinikos sutarčių|publisher=respublika.lt|accessdate=5 April 2017}}</ref>
* In early 2017, a scandal erupted when newspapers uncovered that G. Kėvišas, a public servant with a 2000 EUR salary, has amassed significant wealth - large areas of land, house in the prestigious Laurai neighbourhood, a summer house by the lake, expensive apartment and another house.<ref>{{lt icon}} {{cite web |url=http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/ne-is-atlyginimo-nematoma-g-keviso-seimos-imperija.d?id=73443256 |title=Ne iš atlyginimo: nematoma G. Kėvišo šeimos imperija |publisher=delfi.lt |accessdate=5 April 2017}}</ref> It was later uncovered that Kėvišas also owns a luxurious real estate in ], ].<ref>{{lt icon}} {{cite web |url=http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/prabangi-g-keviso-imperija-ispanijoje-oaze-kuria-grieztai-saugomame-turciu-kvartale.d?id=74078336|title=Prabangi G. Kėvišo imperija Ispanijoje: oazę kuria griežtai saugomame turčių kvartale |publisher=delfi.lt|accessdate=5 April 2017}}</ref> Kevišas was involved in scandals surrounding embezzlement and expensive renovation of ] <ref>{{lt icon}} {{cite web |url=http://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/lietuva/g-kevisas-nezino-kiek-dar-kainuos-ir-kada-baigsis-operos-ir-baleto-teatro-renovacija-56-116914|title=G.Kėvišas nežino, kiek dar kainuos ir kada baigsis Operos ir baleto teatro renovacija |publisher=15min.lt|accessdate=5 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{lt icon}} {{cite web |url=http://www.alfa.lt/straipsnis/50145530/kevisas-ir-nesibaigiantis-apetitas-rekonstrukcijoms-prase-dar-daugiau-nei-gavo|title=Kėvišas ir nesibaigiantis apetitas rekonstrukcijoms: prašė dar daugiau, nei gavo |publisher=alfa.lt|accessdate=5 April 2017}}</ref> As of September 2017, there has not been any investigations into or charges against Mr. Kėvišas.
* In 2015, „Start Vilnius“, a governmental agency tasked with attracting investment to Lithuania, gave an attractive plot of land to one of its employees.<ref>{{lt icon}} {{cite web |url=http://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/lietuva/afera-arturo-zuoko-panoseje-itakingas-pareigunas-susizere-miesto-turta-i-savo-rankas-56-509392|title=Afera Artūro Zuoko panosėje: įtakingas pareigūnas susižėrė miesto turtą į savo rankas |publisher=15min.lt|accessdate=5 April 2017}}</ref>
* In 2016, "Start Vilnius", a governmental agency tasked with attracting investment to Lithuania, which is also famous for corruption and shady deal-making <ref>{{lt icon}} {{cite web |url=http://lzinios.lt/lzinios/Lietuva/-start-vilnius-vel-raizgo-itarimai/220878|title="Start Vilnius" vėl raizgo įtarimai|publisher=lzinios.lt|accessdate=5 April 2017}}</ref> handed over a large plot of land in central Vilnius to a private company for 15'000 EUR.<ref>{{lt icon}} {{cite web |url=http://www.15min.lt/verslas/naujiena/kvadratinis-metras/nekilnojamasis-turtas/specialus-tyrimas-zeme-vilniaus-sirdyje-dalijama-pusvelciui-973-662341|title=Specialus tyrimas: žemė Vilniaus širdyje dalijama pusvelčiui |publisher=lzinios.lt|accessdate=5 April 2017}}</ref>


==Notes==
== Examples pre-2016 ==
{{reflist|group=Note}}
* ], former mayor of ] was convicted for trying to bribe a fellow politician. Criminal record was later removed, although the Zuokas was not declared innocent.<ref>{{lt icon}} {{cite web |url=http://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/amzinoji-vilniaus-mero-rinkimu-byla-baigta-zuokas-kaltas-atnaujinta-15.25-val-55-27646|title=Amžinoji Vilniaus mero rinkimų byla baigta: Zuokas – kaltas|publisher=15min.lt |accessdate=6 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{lt icon}} {{cite web |url=http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/azuokui-panaikintas-teistumas.d?id=25675421|title=A.Zuokui panaikintas teistumas|publisher=delfi.lt |accessdate=6 April 2017}}</ref>
* In 2004, former Lithuanian president ] became the first president in Europe to be impeached. He was impeached on multiple corruption charges: for giving Lithuanian citizenship to his Russian donor Jurij Borisov, for passing secret information to Jurij Borisov and for pressuring a private company to hand over ownership rights to people close to ]<ref>{{lt icon}} {{cite web |url=http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/prezidentas-rpaksas-yra-nusalintas-nuo-pareigu.d?id=4072061|title=Prezidentas R.Paksas yra nušalintas nuo pareigų|publisher=Delfi.lt|accessdate=6 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{en icon}} {{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/07/world/lithuanian-parliament-removes-country-s-president-after-casting-votes-three.html?_r=0|title=Lithuanian Parliament Removes Country's President After Casting Votes on Three Charges|publisher=New York Times|accessdate=6 April 2017}}</ref>
* Lithuania is a major receiver of EU funding <ref>{{en icon}} {{cite web |url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20141202IFG82334/eu-budget-explained-expenditure-and-contribution-by-member-state|title=Infographics: EU budget explained: expenditure and contribution by member state|publisher=European Parliament|accessdate=6 April 2017}}</ref> and there have been several high profile cases of EU funding embezzlement <ref>{{lt icon}} {{cite web |url=http://www.alfa.lt/straipsnis/14947690/sapard-parama-pradanginti-es-milijonai-valdininkams-nerupi|title=SAPARD parama: pradanginti ES milijonai valdininkams nerūpi|publisher=alfa.lt|accessdate=6 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{lt icon}} {{cite web |url=http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/ecijausko-veikla-tirs-speciali-komisija.d?id=2618877|title=E.Čijausko veiklą tirs speciali komisija|publisher=delfi.lt|accessdate=6 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{lt icon}} {{cite web |url=http://www.delfi.lt/verslas/kaimas/korupcija-skandina-milijoninius-projektus.d?id=52620273|title=Korupcija skandina milijoninius projektus|publisher=delfi.lt|accessdate=6 April 2017}}</ref>
* There are suspicions that project to close ] involves significant embezzlement and money laundering <ref>{{lt icon}} {{cite web |url=http://www.respublika.lt/lt/naujienos/lietuva/lietuvos_politika/nesvarus_pirmasis_milijardas/|title=Nešvarus pirmasis milijardas |publisher=respublika.lt|accessdate=6 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{lt icon}} {{cite web |url=http://www.ve.lt/naujienos/lietuva/lietuvos-naujienos/atominiai-litai-isgaruoja/|title= Atominiai litai išgaruoja |publisher=VakaruEkspresas.lt|accessdate=6 April 2017}}</ref>
* Lithuanian military raised suspicions of corruption when it spent over 200 million LTL on two ships which UK Royal Navy donated for free. Lithuania's defence minister at the time refused to comment and did not remember any details <ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20170922221007/https://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/lietuva/uz-britu-dykai-atiduotus-karo-laivus-lietuva-sumokejo-200-mln-lt-56-96160</ref>
* A scandal broke out in 2013 when Lithuanian military overpaid for 3 helicopters. Helicopters whose price was listed at 25 million LTL a piece were bought for 60 million LTL a piece. The deal has not been stopped and nobody was charged of corruption. <ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20170923083609/http://lietuvosdiena.lrytas.lt/aktualijos/180-milijonu-uz-sraigtasparnius-ar-lietuva-nepermokejo.htm</ref>
* ], a former president of Lithuania, privatized hotel "Draugystė" and gave it away to his mistress Kristina. <ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20170923083830/http://zmones.lrytas.lt/-12622553461260424200-de%C5%A1imtme%C4%8Dio-geriausi-7-politik%C5%B3-likimus-vartan%C4%8Dios-lietuvos-moterys-nuotraukos.htm</ref> The hotel was estimated to be worth 40 million LTL <ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20170923082631/https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/socialdemokratai-seime-isplatino-advokatu-isvadas-apie-draugystes-viesbucio-privatizavima.d?id=7910381</ref>. In 2003, it was up for sale for 60 million LTL <ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20170923082820/https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/aplenkdama-buvusi-vyra-kbrazauskiene-iesko-viesbucio-pirkeju.d?id=2303392</ref>


==References== ==References==
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==External links== ==External links==
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{{Europe topic | Corruption in }} {{Europe topic | Corruption in }}


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Latest revision as of 00:55, 9 November 2024

Political corruption
Forms and concepts
Anti-corruption
Corruption by country
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Asia
Europe
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South America
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Corruption in Lithuania describes the prevention and occurrence of corruption in Lithuania.

Summary

The Freedom in the World 2020 report by Freedom House notes that corruption remains an issue in Lithuania, but gives high scores for the main related areas: strong and effective safeguards against official corruption (3 out of 4), government openness and transparency (3 out of 4), and an independent judiciary (3 out of 4).

The European Research Centre for Anti-Corruption and State-Building (ERCAS) notes that while Lithuania has a comprehensive anti-corruption legal base established, the law enforcement institutions are weak. In the Public Integrity Index 2019, published by the Centre, Lithuania ranks 30th out of 117 countries.

According to the Flash Eurobarometer 482: Businesses' attitudes towards corruption in the EU, published by the European Commission in 2019, only 15% of business executives noted corruption as a problem when doing business. The Lithuanian Map of Corruption 2019 report, published by the STT, notes that the percentage of businesses that paid a bribe has been gradually decreasing over the last decades, with only 9% of business paying it in the last 5 years and 5% in the last 12 months.

According to the Global Corruption Barometer of the European Union in 2021 (GCB EU 2021), 48% of Lithuanians think that the government is doing badly in fighting corruption while 42% think it's doing well, nearly matching the EU average of 49% and 43% respectively.

Extent

According to the GCB EU 2021 report, people consider that the most corrupt institutions or individuals are: members of parliament (33%), business executives (27%), local government representatives and mayors (21%), judges and magistrates (21%). The report notes the most common cases of bribery in the last 12 months by service: healthcare institutions (19%), identity documents (6%) and police (4%).

Lithuanian Map of Corruption 2019 report, published by STT, provides an overview based on the surveys of population, company executives and public servants. According to the survey of people, the most common forms of corruption are: nepotism, political patronage and bribery. The most common cases of corruption were perceived to be in: healthcare institutions, the courts, the parliament, municipalities and political parties.

According to a Baltijos tyrimai poll in 2019, the police were trusted by 69% of people, the Constitutional Court of Lithuania by 62%, and the STT by 55%. However, only 39% of people trusted the prosecutors and 33% trusted the courts. A survey conducted by Vilmorus in 2020 showed that the most corrupt areas perceived by the respondents were: healthcare (47%), the courts (37%) and the parliament (30%). The same survey notes that Lithuanians regard corruption as the fourth most acute problem in the country. Only 3% of the people surveyed admitted giving a bribe in the previous year.

International rankings

Index Rank Countries reviewed
Corruption Perceptions Index 2023 34th 180
ERCAS Public Integrity Index 2019 30th 117

According to Transparency International's 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index, Lithuania ranked 34th among the 180 countries in the Index, where the country ranked first is perceived to have the most honest public sector. The Index scores countries on a scale from 0 ("highly corrupt") to 100 ("very clean") and then ranks the countries by score. Lithuania's 2023 rank was based on a score of 61. For comparison with regional scores, the highest score among Western European and European Union countries was 90, the average score was 65 and the lowest score was 42. For comparison with worldwide scores, the best score was 90 (ranked 1), the average score was 43, and the worst score was 11 (ranked 180).

Anti-corruption mechanisms

Special Investigation Service (abbreviated as STT, Lithuanian: Specialiųjų tyrimų tarnyba) is the main law enforcement institution in Lithuania to combat corruption. Other law enforcement institutions also play a major role in combating the corruption. In particular, Financial Crime Investigation Service (abbreviated as FNTT, Lithuanian: Finansinių nusikaltimų tyrimo tarnyba) investigates money laundering and major financial fraud activities. National Audit Office of Lithuania (Lithuanian: Valstybės kontrolė) is the supreme audit institution which also supervises the lawfulness and effectiveness of management and use of state funds and resources.

In 2019, the Law on Protection of Whistleblowers entered force, providing legal protection as well as remunerations and other measures for those who report corruption or other infringements. Lobbying in Lithuania is regulated by the Lobbying Act 2001. According to the EU Members' Research Service report from 2016, Lithuania is one of the few EU countries which has the code of conduct and a mandatory register for the lobbyists.

Anti-corruption conventions and organizations

Lithuania participates in:

See also

Notes

  1. Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom

References

  1. "Lithuania: Freedom in the World 2020 Country Report". Freedom House. Archived from the original on 5 June 2021.
  2. "A Diagnosis of Corruption in Lithuania – ERCAS – European Research Centre for Anti-Corruption and State-Building". 19 October 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  3. "Index of Public Integrity". European Research Centre for Anti-Corruption and State-Building. Archived from the original on 23 January 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  4. "Flash Eurobarometer 482: Businesses' attitudes towards corruption in the EU". Eurobarometer. December 2019. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  5. ^ Švedkauskienė, Margarita. "The Lithuanian Map of Corruption: Businesses' Attitudes and Experience". STT. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  6. ^ Global Corruption Barometer, European Union 2021, Citizens' Views and Experiences of Corruption (PDF), Transparency International, June 2021, retrieved 26 August 2021
  7. "Pokyčiai visuomenės požiūryje į institucijas: pasitikėjimas bankais augo, Vyriausybe ir STT – krito". LRT. 22 June 2019. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  8. "Corruption on decline in Lithuania, survey suggests". LRT. 17 January 2020. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  9. "The ABCs of the CPI: How the Corruption Perceptions Index is calculated". Transparency.org. 20 December 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  10. "CPI 2023 for Western Europe & EU: Rule of law and political integrity threats undermine action against corruption". Transparency.org. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  11. "Corruption Perceptions Index 2023: Lithuania". Transparency.org. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  12. "About the area of activity". National Audit Office of Lithuania. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  13. "Republic of Lithuania - Law on Protection of Whistleblowers" (PDF). Prosecutor General's Office of the Republic of Lithuania. 28 November 2017. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  14. "Republic of Lithuania - Law on Lobbying Activities". Office of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania. 27 June 2000. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  15. "Regulation of lobbying across the EU" (PDF). European Parliament. December 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  16. "20th General Activity Report (2019) of the Group of States against Corruption". European Public Prosecutor’s Office. 25 March 2020. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  17. "United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime". United Nations. Archived from the original on 16 July 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  18. "Chart of signatures and ratifications of Treaty 191". Council of Europe. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  19. "Chart of signatures and ratifications of Treaty 174". Council of Europe. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  20. "Signature and Ratification Status". United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. 11 August 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  21. "Parties and Signatories". International Anti-Corruption Academy. Archived from the original on 18 August 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2021.

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