Political corruption

A high-profile scandal rocks Ukraine's political landscape as Mykola Solskyi, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food and former Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, faces allegations of involvement in an organized criminal group orchestrating the illicit seizure of state lands.

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.

Earlier today, the director of Bulgaria's Customs Agency, Petya Bankova, has found herself at the center of an anti-corruption operation. Police, gendarmerie, and State Agency "National Security" (SANS) officials launched a coordinated operation, conducting searches at Bankova's office and residence, as well as her deputy Ludmil Marinov's premises.

A significant operation led by the State Agency for National Security (DANS) and the Anti-Corruption Commission is currently underway across Sofia and the country. The operation is a component of a probe into acts of official misconduct and bribery.

A doctor, identified only as a foreign national, and two people representing a pharmaceutical company were arrested in western Greece on Saturday for issuing false medical certificates and prescribing medicines produced by a specific companies, for a fee. 

Disciplinary law applies to both students and administrative staff of universities. There are rules that prescribe penalties for individuals who intentionally disrupt the institution's operations with illegal acts. However, these rules are largely ineffective. There is a prevailing culture of impunity, even in cases of admitted corruption.

A regional government official who charged up to 3,500 euros in bribes to issue machine operator licenses is facing criminal of corruption, embezzlement and illegal possession of weapons following his arrest by police on Monday.

The fight to root out endemic corruption remains a major issue as Ukraine presses its bid to secure membership in the European Union

Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) has voiced suspicions of corruption within President Radev's caretaker cabinet, specifically targeting four ministries: Justice, e-Government, Labour and Social Policy, and Economy and Industry.

Cases of serious crime have now become a daily reality. This bloody routine coincides with incidents of corruption within the police force.

These services have shown in the past that they can deliver results. Now they seem to be having trouble fulfilling their mission.

They need to be evaluated and regrouped, because they form part of the core of the state.