No progress on four of EC’s six recommendations on the rule of law

Bulgaria has not made progress on four of the six recommendations of the European Commission in its 2025 rule of law report, BNR correspondent in Brussels Angelina Piskova reported.

There has been no progress on limiting the prolonged secondment of magistrates, reforming the Supreme Judicial Council, the results of high-level corruption cases and improving the legislative process. Additional progress has been reported in the restoration of the anti-corruption commission, and limited progress in the preparation of integrity rules for senior representatives of the executive branch. However, work remains unfinished in both areas.

Regarding the SJC, Brussels is mainly insisting on a change in its composition to ensure independence and efficiency. The report once again emphasizes that the country has not built a convincing practice of investigations, indictments and final convictions in cases of high-level corruption. Another finding of the European Commission is that the practical application of parliamentary rules continues to raise concerns.

The country must introduce clear standards of integrity and a mechanism for sanctions in case of violations, Brussels recommends. This includes rules on conflict of interest, asset declarations, gifts and relations with the private sector.

Editor: Diana Tsankova