About: corruption
Lack of rule of law threatens Bulgaria’s economic recovery
According to the World Bank, it turns out to be easier to do business in post-Soviet Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Russia than in EU member Bulgaria, writes Joël Ruet. Joël Ruet is the chairman of The Bridge Tank As...
Polish health minister denies wrongdoing in mask procurement spat
Polish Health Minister Lukasz Szumowski denied on Monday (25 May) any wrongdoing as he reacted to accusations of inadequate supervision over procurement of equipment to help combat the coronavirus pandemic.
Defiant Netanyahu goes on trial in Israel charged with corruption
Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday (24 May) became the first serving Israeli prime minister to go on trial, proclaiming his innocence in the corridor before walking into court to face charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust.
EPP proposes law to protect small farmers against oligarchs
The European People's Party group called on Wednesday (13 May) for an EU law to prevent oligarchs and land-grabbers drawing on EU subsidies at the expense of small and medium-sized farming businesses. The practice is widespread in countries in Eastern Europe and Italy.
As COVID-19 cases grew, US Senators sold off stocks and downplayed risks
After receiving classified briefings about the coronavirus, some US Senators sold off stocks and then downplayed the virus’ risk to the public. Financial reporting currently shows that five senators have sold major holdings in recent months. Public outrage is high and calls for resignations are mounting.
EU-wide rule of law mechanism discussed in Sofia
A conference in Sofia debated the European Commission's proposal for an EU-wide rule of law mechanism on Friday (6 March) and one European lawmaker said there is already a clear majority in the European Parliament to set up a new control mechanism for the rule of law.
Challenging Bulgarian coal plants’ new waste burning obsession
On Monday (March 2), a European and a Bulgarian non-governmental organisation, ClientEarth and “For Earth – Access to Justice”, are filing a complaint with the European Commission in an attempt to challenge Bulgaria’s new obsession of burning waste in coal...
Zelenskiy signals government reshuffle as experts warn against reform backpedal
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy signaled a potential reshuffle of his government on Wednesday (26 February) that local media said could include axing Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk in favor of businessman and veteran politician Serhiy Tihipko.
Serbian democracy is under attack, indeed
The united front held by Serbia’s mainstream democratic opposition to boycott Vučić’s sham election at all levels is the only honorable and practical course of action, wrtites Vuk Jeremić.
Serbia’s government simulates democracy
The key obstacle to free and fair elections is widespread voter repression by the regime of President Aleksandar Vučić, writes Nebojša Zelenović.
Fake NATURA 2000 report raises eyebrows in Bulgaria, and Brussels
The Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAN) has stated that the report the government has sent to Brussels in relation to the EU's Natura 2000 nature protection project is an “outright fake”, thus fully confirming the findings on an earlier investigative report by EURACTIV Bulgaria.
Armenia’s ousted president Sargsyan stands trial on corruption charges
Former Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan on Tuesday (25 February) goes on trial charged with corruption, nearly two years after he was ousted from power by a popular uprising following a decade in office.
At EU summit, Bulgaria’s Borissov fends off accusations of money laundering
The Spanish newspaper elPeriodico published on Friday (21 February) an investigative report stating that Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov is being investigated by the Catalan police for alleged involvement in money laundering and organised crime. Borissov has denied any wrongdoing.
A brief history of graft in Orbán’s Hungary
Corruption is deeply embedded in Hungary, with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán shielded by a cluster of wealthy bosses with close personal and political ties to the leader, writes Szabolcs Panyi.
Georgia’s top court slaps 3-year jail term on opposition figure
Georgia’s top court on Monday (10 February) sentenced a leading opposition politician to three years and two months in jail for embezzlement, a move which he condemned as politically motivated. The Supreme Court’s ruling on Gigi Ugulava, the 44-year-old leader...
The ‘Lake monster’ that drank the water of a dam in Bulgaria
Where did the water from Bulgaria's Studena Dam disappear, creating a humanitarian crisis for more than 100,000 people in the city of Pernik? Following the first part of Valya Ahchieva's investigation, the Minister of environment and water Neno Dimov was arrested.
Germany urged to crack down on dubious party donations
Germany has made no progress in the fight against corruption in the past year, according to Transparency International. In the German context, corruption usually takes the form of party donations. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Portuguese authorities start taking the ‘Luanda Leaks’ seriously
Portuguese authorities said on Monday (20 January) they had started looking into media leaks concerning Angolan billionaire Isabel dos Santos, while a small bank said it had decided to put an end to commercial relationship with entities controlled by dos Santos.
Is Bulgaria’s Belene nuclear plant in line with EU competition law?
A Bulgarian lawyer has sent an eight-page letter to the European Commission pointing to various alleged violations of EU competition rules relating to the oft-delayed Belene nuclear power plant, EURACTIV Bulgaria reports.
New Malta PM reshuffles ministers, shuns controversial names
New Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela reshuffled his cabinet on Wednesday (15 January), sidelining some of the politicians who had faced fierce criticism from an anti-corruption journalist before her murder in 2017.
Croatia president blames poll defeat on sexism, ‘fake news’
Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović on Saturday (11 January) blamed sexism and "fake news" for her defeat in elections last week, as well as a rival who split the right-wing electorate she was counting on.
Minister arrested following investigative report by EURACTIV Bulgaria
Bulgaria's minister for environment and water resources was placed in 24-hour custody, the office of the Prosecutor General said on Thursday. The development took place after an investigative report by EURACTIV Bulgaria exposed mismanagement that left the city of Pernik without drinking water.
Malta PM to resign amid journalist murder probe protests
Malta's Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, under fire over his handling of the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, said Sunday (1 December) he would step down after his replacement is chosen in January.