Combating Corruption in the Romanian Public Sector. Normative Framework, Institutional Mechanisms and Systemic Challenges

Abstract

The article provides a critical and integrative analysis of the legal and institutional framework governing the fight against corruption within Romanian public administration, without limiting itself to a mere inventory of the relevant norms or institutions, but rather pursuing the internal logic of this system, its interdependencies, and the structural tensions that weaken it. Corruption is approached not merely as a manifestation of deviant individual behavior, but as the result of a combination of institutional, cultural, and political factors that sustain persistent vulnerabilities. The article highlights how national legislation has evolved over the past decades to respond both to internal demands for administrative reform and to external pressures, particularly in the context of European integration and Romania’s commitments within the European Union. Relevant provisions from key legislative acts are discussed, including regulations on incompatibilities, conflicts of interest, the protection of whistleblowers acting in the public interest, transparency in the exercise of public office, and the assessment of integrity risks. The analysis does not stop at the formal level of regulation but examines how these norms are implemented in practice, with emphasis on the functioning of specialized agencies, the administrative capacity of institutions to implement coherent anti-corruption policies, and the internal mechanisms for control and ethics. In this regard, recurrent obstacles are identified that limit the effectiveness of existing mechanisms: fragmented responsibilities, lack of institutional coordination, weak performance evaluation, political pressure on certain independent authorities, and a low level of commitment to integrity principles at the decision-making level. The article offers a systemic reading of administrative corruption, articulating a theoretical perspective with applied observations on the institutional realities of Romania. The aim is not only to provide a diagnosis of the current framework but also to offer a basis for reflection on potential directions for reform, with a focus on cultural transformation, the professionalization of public administration, and the reconstruction of public trust in the functioning of state institutions.