site.btaBrussels Notes Bulgaria's Steps in Rule of Law Field but Expects More Convictions in High-Level Corruption Cases

Cooperation between Bulgarian authorities competent in the fight against corruption is overall good, but efforts are needed to establish a robust track record of high-level corruption cases, Michael McGrath, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, told a news conference here on Monday. He was speaking after a General Affairs Council meeting that discussed the rule of law in Bulgaria, Germany, Ireland, and Czechia.

Commissioner McGrath went on to say that convictions in high-level corruption cases remain limited in numbers and prosecutions remain inconclusive. Important gaps remain in the rules on the integrity of persons with top executive functions. Steps have been taken to implement the reform of the Anti-Corruption Commission, but further efforts are needed to ensure its effective performance and its independence, he added. He confirmed this issue is relevant for the payments under Bulgaria's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP). 

"On media freedom and pluralism, I raised ongoing concerns regarding the politicization of the media regulator, but also improvements in the transparency of allocation of State advertising," McGrath told journalists.

He welcomes the series of recent reforms, efforts under the rule of law cycle and also the Recovery and Resilience Plan, while highlighting the issues that have reappeared following the Constitutional Court's ruling on the constitutional reform of 2023. He noted that steps have been taken with regard to the anti-corruption framework and the lobbying transparency in Bulgaria, as well as that further amendments to the legislation on the protection of whistleblowers have already entered into force.

In his words, the European Commission stands ready to support Bulgaria in its continued efforts for reforms in the area of anti-corruption reform and towards the achievement of the super milestones, which then unlocks funding. "I cannot speculate on further decisions we may make. It really will depend on continued progress being achieved and we are available to support the Bulgarian authorities in that regard," the Commissioner noted. 

On November 5, the European Commission confirmed that it had decided to temporarily suspend the payment of EUR 215 million from Bulgaria's National Recovery and Resilience Plan. Another payment of EUR 439 million to Bulgaria had been approved, a spokesperson told BTA. The suspension of part of the funds is related to the failure to date to meet the target of ensuring a politically independent Anti-Corruption Commission. Bulgaria has six months to comply with the requirement. The Commission will remain in close contact with the Bulgarian authorities to provide the necessary support, the spokesperson added.