According to a new report by Middle East Eye, a UK-based outlet, Libya continues to face widespread corruption in its public and administrative sectors, placing it among the most corrupt countries globally. The report highlights how endemic corruption, criminal infiltration, and weak oversight erode the country’s fragile political structure and threaten its already-delayed democratic process.
The report draws particular attention to municipal election candidates with criminal records, sparking serious concern over the transparency and reliability of Libya’s vetting system. It raises pressing questions about the ability of relevant authorities to properly screen candidates and prevent individuals involved in serious offenses from gaining political power.
Municipal elections are seen as a vital step toward restoring local governance in Libya and allowing citizens to participate in managing their own affairs. However, the process is increasingly overshadowed by competing political interests, weak institutional oversight, and growing fears of criminal infiltration. These issues are further exacerbated by ongoing power struggles that continue to dominate Libya’s political scene.
The report stresses that without strong checks and credible enforcement mechanisms, Libya risks turning its local elections into another arena for political manipulation and corruption. What should be a moment of democratic renewal is instead being shaped by personal interests, influence networks, and the absence of clear safeguards.
Libya’s strategic position between Africa and Europe adds urgency to the issue. The country’s continued instability has regional and international implications, particularly on migration, security, and cross-border cooperation.
Meanwhile, United Nations-led efforts to secure a national consensus on parliamentary and presidential elections remain stalled. Years after promises of elections were first made, Libya remains trapped in political limbo. With no agreed timeline, and with core institutions lacking legitimacy, frustration continues to mount both inside and outside the country.
As political stagnation persists and corruption deepens, Libyan voices—as well as international observers—are calling for urgent reform. There is growing consensus that Libya needs to renew its institutions, restore electoral credibility, and finally bring an end to the cycle of dysfunction that has gripped the country for over a decade.
