Drago Kos: "The tools used by States to combat corruption can be adapted to the local and regional level".

Slovenian criminal investigator and current president of the Council of Europe's "Group of States against Corruption" (GRECO), Drago Kos explains how that structure can help local and regional authorities combat this phenomenon at their level.

Interview – 5 May 2010

Question: European citizens are exasperated by corruption of the political class in general and of some authorities in particular.  While most States now have legislation to foster transparency at state level, it is not always the case at local and regional level.  How can the transparency of choices and decisions be improved here too?

Drago Kos: The tools forged at European and national level could perfectly well be used by regions and local authorities too, as the principles of combating corruption are the same for all tiers of power.  Transparency applies equally to decisions on a municipal scale and to measures involving a State.  However, local and regional elected representatives are not sufficiently aware of the existence of these tools and do not attach enough importance either to what is at stake in combating corruption, whether in human, political or economic terms.

Question: Even so, are there States where there is more corruption than elsewhere, are there regions or towns where it is more widespread?

Drago Kos: Corruption is a global phenomenon.  When it is prevalent at the top of the State, it can also be seen at all the other levels of government, including at local level.  It is just that the stakes are not the same: there is less money involved, but cases are far more common… and citizens sometimes suffer enormously from it.  Being refused a job, housing or a professional licence for no reason, while your neighbour gets what they want straight away is extremely upsetting.  Corruption manifests itself not only in criminal offences but also in immoral conduct in day-to-day life.  It is this kind of conduct that must be combated, at all levels.

Question: What can the Congress do to fight corruption at local and regional level?

Drago Kos: With its European Code of Conduct for the political integrity of local and regional elected representatives, the Congress has an excellent tool in this area.  Unfortunately, it applies only to elected representatives and should ideally cover all local and regional officials, making them subject to the same rules of fairness and morality.  In addition, the effective application of this code should be monitored on a regular basis.  The Congress can also help to adapt existing "national" tools to the local and regional level.  However, the principle of local and regional autonomy must be respected: these tools must be a response to the realities on the ground and not appear to be "dictated" by the State.