site.btaMajority of Bulgarians Think Corruption Is Widespread, Unpunished - Survey

Brussels, December 9 (BTA correspondent Nikolay Jeliazkov) - Eighty-five per cent of Bulgarians think there is widespread corruption in their country and 68 per cent find it unlikely that those engaging in corrupt practices will be caught by or reported to the police or prosecutors, show data of a flash Eurobarometer survey on businesses and corruption presented by the European Commission on Monday.

The survey was conducted through telephone interviews among 300 Bulgarians between September 30 and October 8.

In comparison, 63 per cent of all EU citizens believe there is widespread corruption in their country and 44 per cent find it unlikely that corrupt people or businesses will be caught by or reported to the police or prosecutors.

Seventy per cent of Bulgarians, compared to 48 per cent of EU citizens, said it is unlikely that those engaging in corrupt practices would face charges and go to court. Seventy-seven per cent of Bulgarians, compared to 55 per cent of EU citizens, said it is unlikely that corrupt people or businesses would be heavily fined or imprisoned by a court.

Seventy-five per cent of Bulgarians and 56 per cent of EU citizens disagreed with the statement that people and businesses caught for bribing a senior official are appropriately punished in their country.

Bulgarians see as the most widespread corrupt practices the funding of political parties in exchange for public contracts or influence over policy making (46 per cent), kickbacks (39 per cent), bribes (27 per cent), and favouring friends and/or family members in business (27 per cent).

Asked if in the last three years corruption has prevented them or their company from winning a public tender or a public procurement contract, 49 per cent of Bulgarians gave an affirmative answer and 46 per cent, a negative answer. In the EU28 these percentages stand at 30 per cent and 63 per cent, respectively.

Twelve per cent of respondents in Bulgaria, compared to 5 per cent in the EU28, said they have been asked or expected to give a gift, favour or extra money for at least one of the following permits or services: building permits, business permits, change of land use, environmental permits including waste and water treatment, licence plates or permits related to vehicles, state aid and social funds.

Bulgarians see as the biggest problems when doing business in their country the complexity of administrative procedures (64 per cent), fast-changing legislation and policies (61 per cent), patronage and nepotism (57 per cent), inadequate infrastructure 54 per cent), and corruption (51 per cent).