Left-wing NGO Releases Biased Corruption Index
Hungary Ranked as one of the Most Corrupt Countries in Transparency International’s Corruption Index
Transparency International recently released its corruption index for the previous year, revealing that Hungary is deemed more corrupt than Burkina Faso, according to a report by Mandiner. The index ranked Hungary as the most corrupt country in the European Union and even placed it below Burkina Faso in terms of corruption levels.
The report highlighted that the least corrupt countries in the world include Denmark, Finland, Singapore, New Zealand, Luxembourg, Norway, and Switzerland. On the other hand, the most corrupt states were identified as Venezuela, Somalia, and South Sudan. Hungary’s positioning on the corruption scale raised concerns among several government officials, who argued that Transparency International’s research, being funded by George Soros, lacks objectivity.
Nézőpont Institute previously discredited Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index, labeling it as biased and potentially damaging to Hungary’s reputation. The institute’s head, Ágoston Sámuel Mráz, criticized Transparency’s methodology, suggesting that the index is based on a limited number of experts with critical views towards the government.
In response to the corruption index, the Office for the Protection of Sovereignty denounced Transparency International’s annual report, viewing it as a tool used to manipulate international perceptions of countries. The office highlighted the foreign funding behind Transparency International Hungary, with donors including the European Commission, USAID, and George Soros’s Open Society Foundation.
State Secretary for International Relations, Zoltán Kovács, expressed skepticism towards the index, alleging that it serves as a political weapon to undermine opponents of the liberal order. He emphasized that the index’s association with George Soros and USAID raises concerns about its impartiality and credibility.
Overall, the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index has sparked controversy and debate in Hungary, with government officials and critics alike questioning the methodology and motives behind the ranking. As the country grapples with its corruption perception, discussions continue on the validity and impact of such indices on Hungary’s international standing.
