Greece has lost 8 spots in the 2018 CPI Corruption Perception Index ranking in one year, as it dropped from 59th (from a total of 180 countries) in 2017 to 67th losing 48 points in one year.
In its report, International Transparency states the recent appointment of Vassiliki Thanou as head of the Greek Competition Commission, which oversees the application of antitrust law, raises concerns of a possible conflict of interest, as she had been appointed a close aide to the prime minister. The appointment sheds doubt over the independence of the institution, the report underlines.

Transparency International notes that, despite structural reforms in recent years, progress in fighting corruption has stalled and red tape is holding the country back. “In 2018, a series of scandals undermined anti-corruption efforts, including a case involving inappropriate procurement of medicines by the Greek government, where former ministers and prime ministers were accused of irregularities,” the report said.

Greece is above only Bulgaria among EU countries. Denmark came in first, followed by New Zealand.
The score is derived from a range of 13 sources measuring corruption perceived by experts and business executives. It measures the use of public office for private gain, nepotism, bribery, the diversion of public money and state capture.
The score is also a reflection of the strength of integrity and anti-corruption systems, including “the existence of adequate laws on financial disclosure, conflict of interest prevention and access to information”.