An earlier version of this story used the incorrect figure of 13.5% of GDP - the correct figure is 7.5%
STA, 6 December 2021 - Some estimates suggest that Slovenia could be losing up to EUR 3.5 billion a year due to corruption, Robert Šumi, the head of the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption (Komisija za preprečevanje korupcije - KPK), said ahead of International Anti-Corruption Day. If these funds were allocated to help the poor, nobody in Slovenia would live in poverty, he illustrated.
If corruption were successfully prevented, everyone could enjoy a higher quality of life, have better access to medical and social services, quality education and jobs, and the country would develop faster at all levels, Šumi told the press on Monday.
The estimated EUR 3.5 billion annually lost to corruption in Slovenia amounts to 7.5% of the country's GDP.
If there were no corruption, each individual could annually receive an additional EUR 1,660 from the state, or every pensioner could receive an additional EUR 460 a month.
More than 20,000 non-profit apartments could be built or the state could subsidise warm meals for primary and secondary students in the next 24 years, Šumi said, stressing that this was why it was important for every individual to be active in preventing corruption.
He said the commission's main goal was to prevent corruption, while many people wrongly believe it should also prosecute perpetrators and punish them. The country has law enforcement for that, he explained.
"Our job is to create the conditions where corruption will no longer pay, where the danger of being reported will be bigger that the gain from corruption," he said.
However, without the support of a wide range of stakeholders, the commission cannot hope for a breakthrough.
Šumi underlined the importance of integrity of top state officials and their closest associates, as well as all public sector employees.
In the face of the upcoming triple election next year, he urged everyone who wishes to be active in politics to start implementing the existing rules, which Šumi believes are exemplary.
The commission also called for the transposing of the EU directive protecting whistleblowers to Slovenian legislation as soon as possible to help create an environment where reporting corruption and other irregularities would be easier and safer.
This year's International Anti-Corruption Day under the auspices of the UN is being held under the motto Your Right, Your Role, Say No to Corruption.
