site.btaParliament to Debate Closure of Anti-Corruption Commission

The National Assembly is expected to debate at first reading on Wednesday three bills proposing the closure of the Anti-Corruption Commission, according to Parliament's draft agenda.

The bills have been submitted respectively by the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) - New Beginning, Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB), and GERB-UDF.

Under the bill submitted by the MRF - New Beginning, the functions of the Anti-Corruption Commission related to the submission and verification of asset declarations, the establishment of conflicts of interest, corruption prevention, and the maintenance of electronic registers would be transferred to the National Audit Office. Activities related to combating corruption through the detection and investigation of corruption offences committed by persons holding public office, as well as the Commission’s general administration, would be transferred to the State Agency for National Security (SANS).

CC-DB propose amendments to the Counter-Corruption and Unlawfully Acquired Assets Forfeiture Act providing for the closure of the Anti-Corruption Commission, arguing that the results of its work do not justify public expectations. Their bill envisages the establishment of a Commission for the Prevention of Corruption and Conflicts of Interest. The proposed new appointment procedure provides that two members would be elected by the National Assembly, two by the general assembly of the Supreme Court of Cassation and the Supreme Administrative Court, and one member by the President of the Republic.

GERB-UDF have submitted a draft bill amending the National Audit Office Act, proposing that the functions related to detecting and combating corruption be assigned to the General Directorate for Combating Organised Crime (GDCOC) within the Interior Ministry. Activities related to corruption prevention, the identification of conflicts of interest, and discrepancies in declared assets of persons holding public office would be transferred to the National Audit Office, which would become the legal successor of the Anti-Corruption Commission’s administrative structures performing these functions.

Parliament's draft agenda also includes second readings of amendments to the Consumer Protection Act and the Cybersecurity Act.