Corruption as a Way of Life

Dmitry Medvedev is beginning to outline some specifics of his anti-corruption policies. Note the important mention of transferring powers back to the regions.

Mr. Medvedev said the plan includes tougher criminal punishment for corrupt officials and more rigid requirements for civil servants and judges. He said the new legislation must be in place by next year. Combating graft should be a “matter of honor” for the government, he said. “Corruption in our country has become a way of life for a huge number of people,” Mr. Medvedev said at a meeting with federal and regional lawmakers. “It has become a norm.” (…) “Those who take bribes…feel it involves no risks or consider such risks as negligible,” Mr. Medvedev said. “It mustn’t be so.” Mr. Medvedev said the anticorruption plan must include transferring some federal powers to the regions and from the state to private hands.