site.btaAudit Office Initiates Conflict-of-Interest Proceedings Against Member of Parliament

The Bulgarian National Audit Office has initiated proceedings over a possible conflict of interest concerning D. P., a member of parliament in the 49th, 50th, 51st and 52nd National Assemblies, as reported by the audit institution's press centre on Wednesday. It indicated that in their capacity as a member of parliament, D. P. is a person holding a public office under the current legislation.

The decision to initiate the proceedings was made following a report filed on July 31, 2026 by I. D., which alleged that there was a discrepancy between the declared property and income of the public figure and his actual lifestyle.

The inspection will cover a three-year period in accordance with the Act on Counteracting Corruption among Persons Holding Public Office. The period for its implementation is three months, and in case of factual or legal complexity it may be extended. After its completion, a reasoned decision will be made as to whether a conflict of interest exists. The proceedings to establish a conflict of interest shall be initiated within 6 months of the discovery, but no later than 3 years from the commission of the violation

The Audit Office specifies that the proceedings were initiated in accordance with the transitional and final provisions of the Act on Combating Corruption among Persons Holding Public Offices. They stipulate that within three months of the assumption of office of the chairperson and members of the newly formed Anti-Corruption Commission, the checks of declarations of assets and interests and the proceedings to establish a conflict of interest shall be carried out according to the previous procedure.

Last week, the Minister of Interior Ivan Demerdzhiev announced that he had notified the National Audit Office due to suspicions of a discrepancy between the declared assets and income of the leader of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) Delyan Peevski.