The increase of corruption "could influence voting"

The Academic Society from Romania report (SAR), talks again about corruption in Romania, but also about the perception of this phenomenon.

According to the authors, Romanians consider that, in last years, corruption has increased and it affects everyone in one way or another.

In addition, there is a direct link between this phenomenon and the voting presence of citizens.

"You can predict voter turnout in a country if you know how far people believe that the country is very corrupt and as you can see, we reached, from countries that are members of the European Union, to stand the worst in voter participation because people perceive that if they go to vote does not change anything." said the President of The Academic Society of Romania, Alina Mungiu Pippidi.

SAR President wanted to clarify that the association predicts a very low voter participation this year, if people can not feel the possibility of a real change.

"We are among the three or four countries which consider that corruption has increased over the last three years, but there are also countries in Europe who perceive that corruption has decreased and their governments make positive efforts", added Alina Mungiu Pippidi.

The economic experts, World Economic Forum, ranks Romania along with Slovakia the worst places in the top of government favoritism, according to SAR.

It is unlikely, under these conditions, someone coming to do business in a country that expects government to favor one or the other, said SAR President.

In the economic forecasts, SAR report speaks of a slight increase this year, keeping inflation and deficits under control, but also the risks of exchange rate stability and the evolution of unemployment.

According to the document authors the measure necessary that we should the government take is gradually reducing of social security contributions also should be avoided, both excessive investment and public spending growth as well as output agreements with international donors.

Adoption of Euro would bring our country in a similar situation as Greece

About Euro, the report says that it could achieve nominal criteria by 2015, but aspects of competitiveness and sustainability remain major issues which if are not addressed, could bring our country in a similar situation as Greece after joining the Euro area.

Therefore, it is considered that Romania should adopt Euro only when the economy will be closer to the Euro area, in terms of real convergence criteria.

And this will happen, most likely after 2020, said the authors of the study.

The report talks about the need to accelerate absorption of European funds.

However, it points out that this should be accompanied by the tools of empowerment of public institutions, which have also ongoing projects, compliance and national implementation of the subsidiarity principle in the management of Community funds.

Translated by Ioana Vioreanu
MTTLC, Bucharest University