%0 Journal Article
%T The need to protect fundamental rights, the crisis of democracy and the future of European integration in light of the threat of corruption compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic
%A Korczak, Natalia
%J Public Administration Yearbook
%V 2022
%R 10.4467/24497800RAP.22.022.16798
%N 2022 (8)
%P 399-442
%K protection of fundamental rights, crisis of democracy, multicentricity of contemporary legal systems, European integration, Covid-19 pandemic, threat of corruption
%@ 2449-7797
%D 2022
%U https://ejournals.eu/en/journal/rocznik-administracji-publicznej/article/koniecznosc-ochrony-praw-podstawowych-kryzys-demokracji-i-przyszlosc-europejskiej-integracji-w-swietle-spotegowanego-pandemia-covid-19-niebezpieczenstwa-korupcji
%X 
	The article is a reflection on how unnoticed and underestimated in everyday life the phenomenon of corruption has a disastrous impact on the foundations of the European Union built over the years. Currently, it is a serious challenge and a threat to the integration project which, due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, is experiencing another crisis. In view of this, the author of the article recognizes the problem and, in this context, begins her consideration of the issue by outlining the origins of European integration and its consequences by drawing attention to the issue of uniformity in the creation and application of Community law under conditions of multicentrism and, above all, by showing the consequences of corruption, which puts Europe in a situation of duty and obligation to protect fundamental rights and democracy. It then analyzes the positions of experts, the opinions of citizens and the results of studies of international organizations. In addition, she refers to the results of his own research and, to this extent, mentions the Polish corruption reality seen through the eyes of young Poles in order to show that Europe is not only the West and we are also a part of this Community. Ad extremum she points out the key decisions taken at the European Union level and the remedies recommended by its bodies to counter the problem.