The European Commission has approved only part of the requested support. Instead of the full 653 million euros, Bulgaria will temporarily receive 439 million euros. The Commission wants to continue payments only after the promised reforms have been implemented.
According to the Commission, the Bulgarian government is falling short in establishing a politically independent commission to combat corruption and illegally obtained assets. The country was previously given a clear deadline for this but has not met it.
Brussels demands that Bulgaria demonstrate within six months that the new institution can operate free from political influence. Otherwise, the withheld amount will remain blocked for longer.
At the beginning of October, the Commission already sent an official warning to Sofia. It stated that if the reform did not materialize, the payment would be postponed. That warning has now become reality.
The recovery plan prescribed by Brussels for Bulgaria contains dozens of measures, such as stricter rules against cronyism and misuse of government funds. Some of these have been implemented, but the reform of anti-corruption efforts is still lacking.
Several scandals have come to light in Bulgaria in recent years. Senior officials and local administrators have been accused of favoring acquaintances in tenders and permits. European institutions have long pressed for tougher measures.
According to Brussels, the suspension of the funds is intended to apply pressure, not as punishment, as stated in Brussels. Bulgaria also wants to introduce the euro as its currency. A decision on this will soon be made within the EU, with a focus on the country’s economic and financial structures.
Bulgaria’s admission to the Schengen area for free travel was also blocked for years by EU countries due to fears of spreading Bulgarian crime. The Netherlands was one of the last countries to give up its opposition to Bulgaria’s admission to Schengen.