Council of Europe anti-corruption recommendations partially implemented

Bulgaria has fully implemented 7 out of 28 recommendations made by the Council of Europe's Group of States against Corruption (GRECO). 11 recommendations have been partially implemented and 10 have not been implemented. 

Today GRECO published its 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.

With regard to top executive functions, significant legislative and policy reforms are underway, but the final results are pending. As to the law enforcement agencies, the overall progress in the implementation of recommendations is more significant, the report states

The report adds that changes are planned in the functioning of the National Anti-Corruption Council and in the procedure for selecting members of the Anti-Corruption Commission. A methodology for assessing the risk of corruption in central government and rules of conduct for public officials and incompatibility of senior officials are being prepared.

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