“Excessive politicization of public positions and discretionary allocation of public resources by interest groups are the main reasons that led to these conclusions,” says the [Transparency International‘s report.](http://www.transparency.org/news_room/latest_news/press_releases_nc/2012/2012_01_26_tiromania_nis_release)

In the context of elections this year, the poor performance of these pillars threatens not only public funds and the economy, but also the quality of democracy, according to TI, a global civil society organisation leading the fight against corruption.

“Corruption restricts freedom, impoverishes, misinforms, denies access to justice and public services, affects the health, and degrades the education and future of young people. Elimination of corruption in all sectors of society is therefore imperative and urgent,” Transparency International underlines.

**No Independence, No Resources to Resist Interference**

The Study on National Integrity System, third edition, released on 26 January by Transparency International Romania (TI-Ro) shows that the “Romanian institutions do not have the necessary resources and are not independent enough to resist political or group interference, generating private benefits and, by default, corruption at the detriment of society.”

“Also, selective and very limited transparency makes liability mechanisms inefficient. Whether we refer to political leaders – national or local level – or representatives of public institutions, people have lost confidence that they could be held liable, or, promoted on the basis of objective criteria, managed either by the control institutions media and civil society,” it adds.

The TI-Ro study shows that exposure of some cases in courts is not an appropriate treatment for corruption because it recurs, but a systematic reform that would create “antibodies” institutional corruption and not just treat symptoms, but causes is needed.”

“This way only, will the country’s government resonate with the wishes of citizens, respecting democracy and transparency, ensuring integrity and justice, ensuring responsibility and accountability, based on solidarity and courage,” the study adds.

**EU, NATO, OSCE…**

Romania is the ninth largest country of the European Union (EU) by area, and has the seventh largest population of the European Union with around 22 million people.

It joined North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 2004, the EU on January 1, 2007 and is also a member of the Latin Union of the Francophonie, as well as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

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2012 [Human Wrongs Watch](http://human-wrongs-watch.net/)