The Bulgarian parliament has moved to revive the national anti-corruption commission, an initiative aimed at fulfilling requirements under the country’s National Plan for Recovery and Sustainability. Lawmakers approved a draft law at the first reading that seeks to establish a five-member Commission for Countering Corruption (KPK).
The proposed structure for the commission is designed to ensure a diverse selection process. According to the legislation, one member will be appointed by the president and one by the National Assembly. The Supreme Court of Cassation and the Supreme Administrative Court will each select one member through their general assemblies, while the Supreme Bar Council will appoint the fifth member.
Did You Know? The European Commission has currently suspended the payment of 258,228,948 euros to Bulgaria due to what has been described as unsatisfactory implementation of anti-corruption reforms.
The legislative effort comes less than four months after the previous parliament voted to close the former anti-corruption body, transferring its functions to the Audit Office and the General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime. This previous decision is now being reversed as part of a broader strategy to secure EU funding. The current draft law received support from 153 deputies, including those from “Progressive Bulgaria,” GERB-SDS, “Democratic Bulgaria,” and “We Continue the Change.”
Expert Insight: The rapid legislative pivot suggests an urgent prioritization of fiscal stability over long-term institutional design. By shortening the window for amendments between readings to four days, the parliament is signaling a desire to expedite the release of frozen EU funds, though the success of this new body will ultimately depend on its operational independence and the efficacy of its investigative powers.
Under the new proposal, the commission would be tasked with preventing corruption, verifying asset declarations of public officials, and investigating crimes such as bribery, trading in influence, and money laundering. The body would be granted investigative and operational powers, with inspectors conducting inquiries under the Penal Procedure Code. The legislation introduces mandatory judicial control over the termination or suspension of pre-trial proceedings initiated by the commission.
The commission’s leadership would operate on a five-year mandate without the possibility of reelection, with the chair rotating annually through a system of drawing lots. To ensure transparency, the body would be required to submit a report to the National Assembly every six months.
What happens next may depend on the finalization of the law between the first and second readings. If the legislation passes, the commission will likely begin the process of assuming anti-corruption functions currently held by the Audit Office, potentially clearing the path for the resumption of payments tied to the second and third installments of the national recovery plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will the members of the new anti-corruption commission be selected?
The five members will be appointed through different branches of government and professional bodies: one by the National Assembly, one by the president, one by the Supreme Court of Cassation, one by the Supreme Administrative Court, and one by the Supreme Bar Council.
Why was the previous anti-corruption commission closed?
The previous commission was closed on January 28 of this year when the parliament voted to transfer its functions to the Audit Office and the General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime.
What are the main responsibilities proposed for the new commission?
The commission is tasked with the prevention and investigation of corruption, including crimes such as bribery, money laundering, and trading in influence, as well as verifying the assets and potential conflicts of interest of public officials.
Do you believe that a rotating leadership structure based on a lottery system will effectively ensure the independence of this new institution?
