Old boys’ networks are often a source of conflicts of interest, especially in municipal politics, find researchers at the University of Vaasa, who carried out the study. They, however, say the situation has improved in recent times as cases involving close ties between politicians and business interests have attracted much attention.
While Finland generally did well in the assessment, the report pointed out that information about the work of public officials is not always readily available to citizens. This results in a lack of transparency that can be a source of corruption.
”It is vitally important that civil society, the media and business are involved in the fight against corruption”, said Pentti Mäkinen, Chair of Transparency International Finland, in a press release.
Transparency International Finland says that the authorities, including the tax office, customs, police and the Office of the Chancellor of Justice, should cooperate more in the fight against corruption.
The report suggests that rules and penalties for cases involving conflicts of interest should be clarified.
Transparency International’s most recent corruption perceptions index ranked Finland as the second least corrupt country in the world after New Zealand.
