Back Bulgaria - Publication of the Fifth Round Compliance Report

Bulgaria - Publication of the Fifth Round Compliance Report

The Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) has published the first report assessing Bulgaria’s compliance with its recommendations to prevent corruption and promote integrity in central government and law enforcement agencies, addressed to Bulgaria in 2022. GRECO concludes that Bulgaria has fully implemented seven of the total of 28 recommendations. Of the outstanding 21 recommendations, eleven have been partly implemented and ten have not been implemented. See also the Bulgarian translation.

With regard to top executive functions, significant legislative and policy reforms are underway but the final results are pending. Key developments include planned changes to the functioning of the National Anti-Corruption Council, and approval of a new procedure for electing the members of the Anti-Corruption Commission, yet to become operational. A Methodology for corruption risk analysis in the central government is in preparation, and a draft Code of Conduct for Persons Holding Public Office is also being developed. Rules on incompatibilities and vetting in respect of advisers of persons entrusted with top executive functions in central government have yet to be introduced. The information regarding members of political cabinets (e.g. names, functions, remuneration, as well as ancillary activities) is still not accessible to public. Improvements are needed in access to information in practice, and public consultations on Government legal acts. While gradual improvements are being made to the criminal justice response to corruption offences, further progress is needed. New legislation on lobbying is in early development. GRECO encourages the authorities to complete these reforms with no further delay.

As to the law enforcement agencies, the overall progress in the implementation of recommendations is more significant. Tangible steps have been taken to encourage representation of women in the Police, and the remuneration, especially at the entry and junior levels of the Ministry of the Interior employees has increased. Ethics commissions and advisers have been appointed to provide confidential counselling on integrity matters. Reporting of integrity-related misconduct is now mandatory. Clear rules have been adopted as regards receipt, accounting and transparency of donations and sponsorship in the Police. The Code of Ethics applicable to police functions has been amended to reflect, in greater detail, the integrity-related issues, and now bans receiving gifts, benefits or services, which may have an impact on the performance of official duties. The 2023 Law on Whistleblower Protection is a positive step, with authorities encouraged to provide regular training on breach reporting and whistleblower protection measures. A risk assessment methodology has been approved, laying the groundwork for a Concept for countering corruption in the Ministry of the Interior, yet to be developed. More prominent efforts are required, including strengthening the operational independence of the Police from the Ministry, ensuring  senior appointments in the Ministry (Secretary General, Deputy Secretary General etc.) through open competitions, and addressing the practical risks of post-employment activities of former police officers. Finally, integrity checks for police employees should be put in place before recruitment and carried out at regular intervals during their career.

GRECO notes that further progress needs to be made within the next 18 months to achieve an adequate level of compliance with the recommendations. Bulgaria is to submit new information about the implementation of outstanding recommendations by 31 May 2026.

Strasbourg 06/02/2025
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Ever since antiquity, corruption has been one of the most widespread and insidious of social evils. When it involves public officials and elected representatives, it is inimical to the administration of public affairs. Since the end of the 19th century, it has also been seen as a major threat in the private sphere, undermining the trust and confidence which are necessary for the maintenance and development of sustainable economic and social relations. It is estimated that hundreds of billions of Euros are paid in bribes every year. (more)

A word from the President of GRECO

Welcome to this window on GRECO’s world! 
I invite you to use it to look into the work we do with our 48 member States.  We use the dynamics of collective expertise and peer pressure to accomplish action by individual governments that will build durable barriers against corruption and bring to justice those who misuse their position for personal gain to the detriment of society as a whole.

Whether inspired by GRECO’s work, that of others with an anti-corruption agenda or our own experiences and principles, each one of us has a role to play in changing the mind-set to zero tolerance of corruption.

Members of GRECO Bureau

The composition of GRECO's Bureau is the following: Olivier GONIN (Switzerland), Panagiota VATIKALOU (Greece), Vice-President António DELICADO (Portugal), President David MEYER (United Kingdom), Lise CHIPAULT (France), Sorin TĂNASE (Romania) and Alexia KALISPERA (Cyprus).

 BEWARE OF SCAMS

It has been brought to our attention that the name of GRECO is being used for fraudulent purposes. These scams may appear to use letterhead with the GRECO logo, or contain the signatures of actual or fictitious senior GRECO officials, aiming to give the appearance of a legitimate GRECO correspondence.  Sometimes they may include legitimate website addresses to give a veneer of credibility to the scam.

Typically, the solicitations asked potential victims to provide personal information such as signatures or bank account information, and to pay certain advance fees, often described as "processing fees." In return, the potential victim was promised sums of money that the person soliciting the "fees" had no intention of paying. In some cases, those seeking the funds used the names of actual GRECO staff members to sign the letters in order to bolster their credibility.

GRECO, the Council of Europe's anti-corruption body, monitors the way in which its member countries implement the Council of Europe conventions and other instruments at national level. GRECO does not contact members of the public directly by email, telephone, Whatsapp or any other means about specific financial transactions or personal information.

We caution the public to be very wary of these and other similar solicitations that falsely claim to be affiliated with the GRECO. If you have received such a communication, we advise you to immediately terminate that contact.  If you have already paid them money, please contact your local law enforcement without delay.