Pandemic Deepens Graft and Democracy Breaches, Transparency Says
- Virus crisis is exploited for corruption, according to report
- Bribery, power grabs complicate health, economic emergencies
Photographer: Faouzi Dridi/AFP/Getty Images
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With populations under lockdown and governments wielding greater emergency powers, the Covid-19 crisis has exacerbated already alarming levels of graft and democratic violations worldwide, Transparency International said.
Bribery for virus tests and the procurement of medical supplies to are allowing ruling elites to skim taxpayer funds, according to a report from the global corruption watchdog published Thursday. Transparent budget spending is also particularly difficult to enforce during a pandemic, it said.