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

What has been omitted by the Prosecutor’s Office in its “report” on the persons sanctioned under the Magnitsky Act?

Andrey Yankulov took part in the conference “Rule of Law and the Business Environment in Bulgaria”

Disobeying Court Rulings: Anti-Corruption Commission Refuses to Publish Its Decisions on Confiscating Illegally Acquired Property

Four NGOs Have Supported Proposed Legislative Changes to the Criminal Procedure Code, Increasing Accountability of the Prosecutor's Office

“Aliance for Fair Elections” will work against electoral fraud

In 2018, the Prosecutor's Office suspected Miglena Tacheva of malfeasance in office after a report from the ACF

ACF took part in the International Anti-Corruption Conference in Washington DC

The Anti-Corruption Fund announced the winners of the 2022 Red Line Awards for Journalism against Corruption

Paul Pardew becomes International Adviser to the Anti-Corruption Fund

The Administrative Court: The Anti-Corruption Commission’s decisions cannot be official secrets and must be published
The others for us

Major General Paul H. Pardew will be ACF's International Advisor

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

Mario Rusinov on election technology and the purchased vote

The most important thing about anomaly-monitoring analyses is the politicians' awareness that they are taking place

Der Standard: As early as 2019, ACF has sent reports to the Financial Inspectorate and the Prosecutor's Office about irregularities at the Capitan Andreevo Check Point

Andrey Yankulov: It is strange that a deputy minister was dismissed after allegations of a BGN 200 000 bribe, and now he has been restored to the same position

Andrey Yankulov: The draft law about the Anti-Corruption Commission allows for external control over the Prosecutor's Office

Trading votes for firewood, or about the election frauds in the upcoming elections
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