site.bta Ivaylo Mirchev: GERB Seeks to Shut Down Corrupt Agency to Avoid Accountability

The opposition strongly criticized a proposal by GERB leader Boyko Borissov to shut down the Road Transport Administration, following a high-profile bribery scandal involving employees of the agency.

Speaking to reporters in Parliament on Thursday, MP Ivaylo Mirchev of Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) and co-chair of the CC-DB-affiliated Yes, Bulgaria, accused Borissov of attempting to suppress a deeper investigation into entrenched corruption within the agency. His comments came after two inspectors were arrested and charged with soliciting bribes from drivers transporting equipment for a Robbie Williams concert in Sofia on September 28.

“Borissov doesn't want the truth about the agency to come out — that’s why he's calling for it to be shut down,” Mirchev said. “The real issue is that corruption doesn’t stop at the agency’s doorstep. If an investigation truly digs deep, it would reach the highest levels of the Ministry of Transport.”

Mirchev alleged that "nearly everyone within the Road Transport Administration is involved in corruption", adding that the proposal to close the agency is an attempt to bury the problem rather than solve it.

He also criticized the governing majority for sabotaging a Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria proposal to introduce body cameras for transport inspectors — a measure he said would help bring transparency and reduce opportunities for bribery. “These people don’t want body cameras because they expose corruption. That’s why our legislative efforts were blocked,” he said.