Corruption and impunity
Popular perceptions for high levels of corruption in the country include both “everyday” low-level corruption and grand political corruption which affects key institutions. The latter is easily assessed through some well-known cases in the last years. These cases, emblematic for political corruption and favoritism, as well as for inefficient use of public resources are: the bankruptcy of the Corporate Commercial Bank (CCB), the building of the Belene Nuclear Power Plant and the construction of the South Stream Gas-pipeline. Among these cases, the CCB case unequivocally receives highest attention as a corruption scandal in which public institutions were involved during all different stages – almost 70% of the respondents invoke CCB case as an example of grand corruption. Cases with Belene NPP and South Stream are indicated as corruption cases by half of the respondents.
The survey shows that the Bulgarian society does not consider that public institutions address effectively these corruption cases and that serious investigations will be initiated. Less than 5% of the respondents agree that the institutions use all proper means for investigating the cases and punishing the guilty ones. Almost 50% state that the responsible institutions do not effectively investigate the cases and will persecute the convicted individuals. More than 80% of the respondents believe or assume that corruption cases like CCB may occur in the future. This, in turn, indicates the very low level of public trust (approx. 20%) in all institutions involved in monitoring, prevention and investigation of the CCB case.
Beyond the specific case, there are deep and lasting credibility problems regarding the independence, efficiency and performance of public institutions expected to counteract and investigate corruption cases. Moreover, there is a prevailing perception that political elites are heavily corrupted and do not have reasons and incentives to disclose their hidden connections and exposure to different corruption behavior. All these stereotypes produce rather passive and pessimistic attitude with respect to civic involvement and reformist policies directed against corruption.
Around 20% of the respondents recognize and accept the role of civic engagement for successful fight against corruption. The majority among this group are supporters of political parties which oppose the status quo and make the fight against corruption their core objective.
Press releases

The Anti-Corruption Fund took part in the Partnerships for Anticorruption Global Forum 2025, hosted by the World Bank Group

The Mayor's Apartments: ACF Sheds Light on Shady Property Deals of Pencho Milkov

ACF Reports to EPPO and CINEA the Latest Questionable Public Procurement for Chiren Underground Gas Storage

First Hearing of the Defamation Lawsuit Against Nikolay Nedelkov, the Metropolitan Inspectorate Director Who Reported Sofia’s 240 Unregulated Dumpsites

Delyan Peevski Seeks to Turn Public Attention Away from the Influence Networks in the Justice System

ACF Reveals Scandalous Appointments of Persons Linked to Political Parties in State-Owned Bulgartransgaz

ACF Presented with 2024 Knight of Truth Award

ACF Announces Winners of 2024 Red Line Journalism Against Corruption Awards

As Deputy Prosecutor General, Borislav Sarafov Signed Documents While Unaware of Their Contents and Out of Loyalty to His Superior Ivan Geshev

State-Owned Gas Transit Company “Bulgartransgaz” Gives up BGN 26 Mln. in Compensation for the Failed Expansion of Chiren Underground Gas Storage
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Lora Georgieva: The State is Ignoring the Problem with the Compulsory Private Parking Facilities at the Borders

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Purchased and controlled vote and trust in the electoral process

Anti-Corruption Fund Foundation held a meeting and discussion in Blagoevgrad

Andrey Yankulov to Fakti: The work of the Anti-Corruption Commission is shrouded in secrecy

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Video


ACF Reveals Scandalous Appointments of Persons Linked to Political Parties in State-Owned Bulgartransgaz


Chiren: Tenders with Convenient Incline


State-Owned Gas Transit Company “Bulgartransgaz” Gives up BGN 26 Mln. in Compensation for the Failed Expansion of Chiren Underground Gas Storage


Bulky Schemes: Are Sofinvest and Pancharevo's District Inspectorate Protecting Abuses of Sofia's System for Bulky Waste Removal?


Lords of the Dust: Who are the Patrons of a Parallel Construction Waste Removal Scheme in Sofia?


ACF’s Annual Monitoring Report for 2023: Anti-Corruption Institutions at Freezing Point


The Wolf of Varbovka: How Rumen Gaitanski, with Support by the Authorities, is Getting Closer to Building Bulgaria's Largest Waste Incinerator


Project for a Huge Incinerator near Pavlikeni Stalls After Civil Protests, but Supreme Court Has the Last Word
“Pelletgate”: firm linked to Delyan Dobrev received large amounts from Maritza 3 TPP for fictitious deliveries of biomass

