site.btaUPDATED Political Tensions Rise Over Fate of Bulgaria’s Counter-Corruption Commission

A political standoff has emerged in Bulgaria over the future of the Commission for Counteracting Corruption (Counter-Corruption Commission), as top leaders clash over whether to reform or abolish the body—an institution central to Bulgaria’s commitments under the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP).

Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov warned that dismantling the Counter-Corruption Commission could jeopardize Bulgaria’s access to EU funding, stressing that the Commission’s new composition is one of the conditions required for the country to receive its second and third disbursements under the NRRP. “We are fulfilling commitments negotiated by the previous cabinet, and abandoning the Commission now would undermine both trust and progress,” Zhelyazkov said during a press appearance in Burgas.

The controversy escalated after Delyan Peevski, leader of MRF–New Beginning, announced on social media that he will submit a formal proposal to abolish the commission, calling it ineffective and politically weaponized.

His call echoed remarks made by Atanas Atanasov, co-chair of Democratic Bulgaria, who described the Counter-Corruption Commission as a “harmful and unnecessary” institution that should be closed.

The Vazrazhdane party added to the chorus of criticism, arguing the Commission has never fulfilled its purpose and has consistently failed to tackle high-level corruption.

In contrast, Justice Minister Georgi Georgiev defended the Commission’s reforms, emphasizing that the counter-corruption measures passed in recent months are directly in line with EU Commission criteria. He pointed out that the structure of the Counter-Corruption Commission—particularly the rule allowing members to be appointed by a simple parliamentary majority—was based on both Constitutional Court guidance and past legislative precedent, including proposals supported by Continue the Change–Democratic Bulgaria earlier this year.

GERB leader Boyko Borissov struck a more pragmatic tone, acknowledging that his party faces a dilemma: either support preserving the Counter-Corruption Commission to protect Bulgaria’s access to EU funds or support its dismantling and risk undermining financial stability. He criticized the Commission as a “monster” originally designed by former prime minister Kiril Petkov and former finance minister Assen Vassilev to politically target opponents. “Now we have to save it—or lose billions,” Borissov stated. He also warned that Peevski’s move has shifted the parliamentary balance. “GERB, There Is Such a People, and the Bulgarian Socialist Party – United Left are now in the minority. With the current rules, we need 125 votes—and we no longer have that,” he added.

There Is Such a People party leader Slavi Trifonov wrote on his Facebook profile that if the Counter-Corruption Commission is abolished, Bulgarians will lose BGN 5 billion, and the fight against corruption could be placed under single-handed control. Trifonov firmly stated in his post that the Counter-Corruption Commission must continue to function in its current form because it is “an essential condition for Bulgaria receiving funding—whether we like it or not.”

MP Ivaylo Shotev stated on Nova News television that the Continue the Change (CC) party will vote against the closure of the Counter-Corruption Commission. He warned that shutting down the commission would put at risk the funds allocated under the Recovery and Resilience Plan.

Former justice minister Atanas Slavov, current MP from Democratic Bulgaria (CC’s coalition partner), said on the same Nova News programme that during the autumn session of Parliament, a new bill will be introduced proposing that the commission’s core functions be reduced to two: identifying conflicts of interest and ensuring transparency regarding the assets of individuals in high public office. Slavov said: “No one doubts that the current leadership of the commission is serving [Delyan] Peevski and [Boyko] Borissov.” He added: “I don’t think the closure of such a body is a workable option.” Slavov declined to specify how he and his colleagues would vote should a proposal to dissolve the commission be formally tabled in Parliament.

As the debate intensifies, the fate of the Counter-Corruption Commission could determine not only the pace of Bulgaria’s anti-corruption reforms but also the country’s ability to maintain its standing within the EU’s financial and institutional frameworks, particularly ahead of its planned eurozone accession in 2026.