Anti-Corruption Reforms: Minister Naydenov Reports Progress, While EC Highlights Lack of Real Convictions

The Ministry of Justice presented an official position regarding the European Commission's Seventh Rule of Law Report, emphasizing that the positive assessments within it are a result of the efforts of the current government and parliament.

According to the department, the reported progress covers key reforms, including the improvement of the mechanism for investigating the Prosecutor General, the implementation of a new model for an anti-corruption commission, and the introduction of mandatory judicial oversight when suspending corruption-related investigations. The EC also noted the implementation of last year's recommendation to improve the independence of the Inspectorate to the Prosecutor's Office.

Minister of Justice Nikolay Naydenov stated that Bulgaria is already in the stage of practical application of the adopted legislation. "We accept the EC's recommendations as a basis for continuing the reforms. The government will continue the active dialogue with the European Commission, the Council of Europe, and civil society," he added.

Despite the positive highlights, the report also contains serious criticisms. Commissioner Michael McGrath pointed to Bulgaria as an example of reform in the Supreme Judicial Council, but also highlighted key challenges: the lack of lasting results in investigations, few criminal prosecutions, and the lack of final convictions in corruption cases involving high levels of power, as well as the quality of the legislative process in parliament.