The procedure for distributing 127 million euros for technological modernization and investments in small and medium-sized enterprises in coal regions has been terminated due to established manipulations. According to the Deputy Prime Minister for European Funds, Atanas Pekanov, the selection criteria were changed after the conclusion of the procedure to ensure an advantage for certain candidates.
Manipulations in the Ministry of Regional Development
According to Pekanov, the case is related to a corruption scheme in the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works (MRRB), carried out during the "Zhelyazkov" cabinet. About 1,600 companies participated in the procedure, but interference in the terms made the special selection of specific firms possible.
"This week, a manipulated corruption scheme in the MRRB was terminated. After the procedure had concluded, the criteria were rigged so that certain companies would win these funds," the Deputy Prime Minister stated. He added that officials from GERB were also involved in the scheme but did not react publicly to the case.
New rules and the risk of delaying other funds
Despite the termination of the current procedure, the funds will not be lost. A new call for applications is planned with entirely revised and transparent rules. Pekanov assured that honest companies will not be deprived of the resource, although the amount will likely be smaller due to the changes in the terms.
Parallel to this case, the government is facing the risk of a delay in approximately 400 million euros from the Recovery and Resilience Plan. The reason is the lack of a representative from the Supreme Court of Cassation in the Anti-Corruption Commission. The European Commission expects a functioning body with five members and a chairperson by the end of August, and the government will seek talks with the EC regarding the possibility of conditional release of the funds.
The financial framework and the 2026 budget
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In the context of public finance management, Atanas Pekanov also commented on the adopted 2026 budget. He rejected claims of violations of the Public Finance Act, describing the document as a "budget of the status quo." According to him, the framework reflects unsustainable trends accumulated over the years, but it was adopted with the aim of transparency and without undertaking drastic social cuts or freezing pensions.