Anti-corruption

Corruption in Bulgaria has soared to its third highest peak in history, according to a recent report by the Center for the Study of Democracy. The findings indicate a significant failure in anti-corruption efforts by governmental institutions.

BELGRADE - The Serbian government said on Friday Serbia's success in fulfilment of recommendations issued by the Council of Europe's anti-corruption watchdog GRECO was a result of engagement on strengthening rule of law and ensuring judicial independence following the adoption of constitutional amendments, a set of judicial and other laws and bylaws and procedures.

Cyprus' Independent Anti-Corruption Authority has initiated an investigation based on claims made in the book "Mafia State" by journalist Makarios Drousiotis, which exposes allegations of corruption against former president Nicos Anastasiades.

In a compelling statement at the forum "Anti-corruption, democratic stability, and economic security" in Sofia, European Chief Prosecutor Laura Kovesi emphasized the critical role of combating financial abuse in ensuring security.

"While serving as Struga's mayor, Ramiz Merko misappropriated funds and interfered with judicial and other public processes, damaging the public's faith in North Macedonia's democratic institutions and officials," the US State Department explained shortly in a press release on Tuesday.

In its fifth Evaluation Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina published on Thursday, the Council of Europe's Group of States against Corruption, GRECO, urged authorities in Bosnia to overcome political blockages that are preventing reforms from taking place. 

Inefficient justice, loopholes in the rules for people at the top of power and dependent media are distinctive features of the situation with the fight against corruption at the top of power in Bulgaria. Such conclusions were reached by the Group of States fighting corruption "GRECO" of the Council of Europe.

The Bulgarian government will allocate BGN 20 million for a one-time aid for heating, announced acting Prime Minister Galab Donev. The decision is expected to be taken at the cabinet meeting that has already started, at which a number of legislative texts related to the commitments to receive the second tranche of funds under the Recovery and Sustainability Plan will be voted on.

During the debate, '(Anti)Corruption in Focus', organised by Bosnian BIRN and Transparency International in Sarajevo, members of eight political parties presented their anti-corruption strategies.

The European Commission presented today the second annual report on the rule of law in the EU, this time making recommendations to individual countries. The EC recommends that the anti-corruption commission take consistent action to reach final verdicts in cases where senior officials are held accountable.