site.btaContinue the Change Leader Comments on Bulgaria's Worst Corruption Perception Score Since 2012

Continue the Change leader Assen Vassilev Tuesday commented on a Transparency International report, which registered Bulgaria's worst result since 2012. Bulgaria has a record-low score in the Corruption Perceptions Index 2025, slipping to 40 out of 100 points possible.

Bulgaria ranks 84th out of 182 countries and territories, according to the annual index published on the Transparency International website.

Vassilev said: "This is no surprise. Last year we saw the major protests over the budget proposal and the government's intention to spend citizens' money in an absolutely outrageous manner." He recalled that the budget proposal included BGN 9 billion, which were not earmarked to cover the deficit, but were channelled to the Bulgarian Development Bank, the Bulgarian Energy Holding and other state-owned enterprises.

The protests he was referring to brought down the Rosen Zhelyazkov government on December 11, 2025.

Vassilev also said that last Thursday the Road Infrastructure Agency signed annexes providing for an additional EUR 800 million in payments under already existing road maintenance contracts. "As a result, each one of us will have to pay another EUR 150 out of pocket for road maintenance and repairs, even though the contracts were signed in 2024-2025," he said, asking why prices under the contracts had been raised by 50%.