Pacolli: Government Kurti has normalised corruption, top exhibits included

Two international reports have been released this week, which have presented serious and disturbing data on the level of corruption in Kosovo.

The UN report criticises the government for failing to implement the law effectively for government corruption and has high problems with it.

While, in the report of Freeddom House”, they have presented that corruption continues to remain a serious issue in Kosovo.

Both reports of international organisations show reality in Kosovo, says former Kosovo President Behgjet Pacolli.

Pacolli in an interview for Front Online says that although the government stated its commitment to fighting corruption, reports show otherwise.

Despite the government's repeated claims on its commitment to fighting corruption and promoting transparency, reality in Kosovo represents a completely different view. The two reports of Freedom House and the State Department serve as sharp reminders of the wandering nature of corruption in Kosovo”, Pacolli estimates.

Little progress has been achieved by this government in the matter, the former president declares.

Pacolli says corruption is prospering and is being developed by the government exhibition.

Despite promises made by the government to address this widespread issue, little substantial progress has been achieved. Instead, corruption continues to flourish, uncontrolled and courageous, developed by government expert”, Pacolli stressed

Former President Behgjet Pacolli estimates that normalising corruption creates dangerous precedents in Kosovo.

In fact, Pacolli says that his struggle normalizes corrupt practices.

“Wanting to effectively deal with corruption not only undermines rule of law but also erodes public confidence in government institutions. The lack of concrete action perpetuates a culture where corrupt practices are not only tolerated but normalised. This normalisation of corruption creates a dangerous precedent”, Pacolli says.

He said the Government's promises of fighting corruption have deemed them empty.

According to him, the people of Kosovo are continuing to suffer the consequences of this problem.

For his fight, steps must be taken to hold those involved in corrupt activities responsible, Pacolli says.

It is very clear that rhetoric alone is insufficient to combat entrenched corruption that destroys Kosovo. Significant steps must be taken to hold responsible those involved in corrupt activities and to implement sweeping reforms aimed at promoting transparency and accountability. Without meaningful actions, the government's promises for the clean “” sound empty, and the people of Kosovo continue to suffer the consequences of systemic corruption”, Pacolli stressed, who has criticised the current power for not fighting corruption.

Pacolli says that despite government promises, Kosovo has plunged into the cycle of systemic corruption.

The lack of tangible progress in tackling corruption highlights a disturbing dispute between government rhetoric and its actions. Despite promises of reform, few substantial changes have been observed, leaving Kosovo mired in a systemic corruption cycle”, Pacolli says.

The two reports of international organisations show the urgent need for radical actions to prevent corruption, Pacolli estimates.

The critical assessments offered by the reports of Freedom House and the State Department underscore the urgent need for radical actions to deal with rampant corruption that permeates Kosovo's political landscape. While the government could escape the fight against corruption inside it, the reality on the ground tells another” story, he said.

Pacolli says his normalisation erodes the foundations of democracy.

The problem extends beyond simple legislative shortcomings; it is an indication of a broader systematic acceptance of corruption within the current political estability. This normalisation of corrupt practices erodes the very foundations of democracy and undermines public confidence in government institutions”, Pacolli said.

The former president has indicated what steps must be taken to combat and prevent corruption.

To address this urgent issue truly, there must be a concerted effort to prioritize anti-corruption measures and hold those involved in corrupt activities responsible. This requires not only legislative reform, but also a real commitment by political leaders to lead by example and to support the principles of transparency and accountability, as Albania and the SPAK did. Until such measures are implemented, Kosovo will continue to suffer the devastating consequences of uncontrolled corruption”, Pacolli said.

Unlike the opposition, they have reacted to the publication of two reports by international organisations, saying they have confirmed government corruption.

However, there has been no reaction from the executive to the issue.