Government Office Objects to Conclusions of TI's Corruption Perceptions Index

Bratislava, 11 February (TASR) - The Government Office has objected to and rejected the conclusions of Transparency International's (TI) Corruption Perceptions Index, the office's press and information department told TASR on Wednesday, at the same time highlighting Eurobarometer 2025 results showing an 8-percent drop in corruption perceptions for Slovakia in national public institutions. "TI is a foreign political NGO that compiled last year's Corruption Perceptions Index based on the opinions of selectively chosen opposition politicians and self-proclaimed 'experts' on the fight against corruption," stated the Government Office, adding that this year TI hasn't published a list of the respondents participating in the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index for Slovakia. Meanwhile, the Government Office pointed to Eurobarometer results concerning public attitudes to corruption in Slovakia in 2025, according to which 87 percent of the respondents had neither experienced nor witnessed a corruption case, while 78 percent didn't personally know anyone who takes bribes. "Compared to 2024, this was a significant drop in the perception of corruption in national public institutions (down by 8 percent) and in local or regional institutions (down by 14 percent), placing Slovakia above the EU average," stated the Government Office. At the same time, the Government Office expressed regret that during this year's expert visit by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), representatives of Transparency International Slovakia (TIS) and of other political non-governmental organisations allegedly refused to hold discussions with the OECD and civil society representatives, along with media holding different political views. "In its manifesto, the Slovak government stated that it cannot accept politically oriented NGOs that influence public opinion and political competition in a non-transparent manner," stated the office. The Government Office rejected the "politicising of the issue of corruption without facts", adding that "in the past 12 months alone, the Slovak government has adopted additional systemic measures aimed at preventing corruption". On Tuesday (10 February), Transparency International Slovakia presented the global Corruption Perceptions Index, with Slovakia ranking 61st among 182 countries, dropping by two places year-on-year. Of a 100 possible points, Slovakia's score was 48 (a higher score means lower corruption). Slovakia was thus 14 points below the European Union average (62 points). jrg/df