site.btaSocialist MP Kiselova: Bulgaria's Low Score in Corruption Perceptions Index Stems from Unfinished Work

Nataliya Kiselova of the BSP - United Left parliamentary group Tuesday said that Bulgaria's record-low score in the latest Corruption Perceptions Index of Transparency International is the result of unfinished work from previous years. "We are trying to do something good, but at the same time we are making things worse," noted the former chair of the National Assembly. 

The latest data from the annual Corruption Perceptions Index shows that Bulgaria recorded its worst score since 2012, ranking 84th out of 182 countries with just 40 out of 100 points. 

Kiselova commented on Bulgaria's score during a public discussion on current challenges to the rule of law and independence, efficiency, and accountability of the Judiciary in the context of expired terms in offices. She argued that the problem is not limited to the state of the judicial system and the expired terms in office of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) and the Inspectorate to the SJC , but also includes the activities of law enforcement agencies and the work of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Kiselova recalled that three different political forces have called for the closure of the ACC, albeit for different reasons – GERB-UDF, Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria, and MRF – New Beginning. These three requests coincided in time, she added. According to Kiselova, there is no consensus in society on how the fight against corruption should be conducted – through administrative or criminal law means. "The more power is concentrated in one body, the more it becomes a super-body with the potential for abuse," she argued.

Kiselova also raised the question of how the Unlawfully Acquired Assets Forfeiture Commission would function after the possible closure of the ACC.