English Summary
The article argues that corruption is the primary corrosive agent undermining democratic resilience across Europe, leading to widespread public distrust in institutions and elected officials. This systemic abuse of power severs accountability between citizens and governments, enabling illiberal actors and threatening both economic stability and national security. To restore faith in democracy, EU member states must adopt a holistic anti-corruption strategy that goes beyond mere elections. Key policy recommendations include fully enforcing the new Anti-Corruption Directive, strengthening judicial independence to prosecute high-level officials, and mandating transparency in political donations.
中文摘要
本文論述腐敗是削弱歐洲民主韌性（democratic resilience）的主要侵蝕力量，導致公眾對制度和民選官員普遍失去信任。這種系統性的權力濫用切斷了公民與政府之間的問責機制，助長了非自由主義行為者（illiberal actors），並威脅到經濟穩定和國家安全。為恢復對民主的信心，歐盟成員國必須採取一套超越單純選舉層面的全面性反腐策略。關鍵政策建議包括：全面執行新的《反腐敗指令》（Anti-Corruption Directive）、強化司法獨立以追訴高層官員，以及強制要求政治捐款透明化。
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