site.btaParliamentary Committee Sets Up Commission to Select Anti-Corruption Commission Leadership

The Parliamentary Committee on Prevention and Counteraction of Corruption voted Thursday to establish a nomination commission tasked with selecting the leadership of the Anti-Corruption Commission. The decision was passed with 10 votes in favour and five against.

The nomination commission will hold its first meeting on Friday. Its members include Justice Ministry Secretary General Nevena Milova, Supreme Bar Council lawyer Nina Sedefova, Supreme Court of Cassation member Kalin Kalpakchiev, Ombudsman’s Chief Secretary Aysun Avdzhiev and National Audit Office Vice President Silvia Kadreva.

Lena Borislavova, MP from the Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria coalition, proposed that the committee delay constituting the nomination commission and setting its first meeting until all proposed members submit declarations disclosing potential conflicts of interest, financial assets, and political affiliations. Borislavova’s proposal was rejected with five votes in favour and ten abstentions.

Raya Nazaryan of GERB-UDF responded to Borislavova that all candidates were nominated by their respective institutions after reviewing the criteria and agreeing to the internal rules.

Parliamentary Committee Chair Maya Dimitrova (BSP–United Left) urged MPs to follow the established procedure. Under the rules, candidates must submit relevant documents to the Parliamentary Committee chair by August 5.  

After the session, Borislavova told reporters that at least one member of the nomination commission has a conflict of interest. She pointed to Silvia Kadreva, who as a former member of the CCC’s leadership, signed off on bonuses for two candidates now being proposed by the ruling majority to head the Commission, Stoyan Petkov and Petar Koev, then its director and deputy director. Borislavova argued that their performance will now be evaluated by their former superior, who only a month ago approved their bonuses.

She also pointed to another potential conflict of interest involving Nevena Milova, described as a long-time secretary at Sofia Municipality and close to the cabinet of former Sofia Mayor Yordanka Fandakova.