About: corruption
Ukraine top court deals another blow to anti-corruption bureau
The Constitutional Court of Ukraine struck down several provisions of the law on the Western-backed National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) in the latest blow to the country’s anti-graft drive. Among the parts of the law the court scrapped are...
Von der Leyen: European values are not for sale
In her first State of the Union speech, delivered on Wednesday (16 September), European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen positioned herself as a bulwark against the unravelling of EU values that is already underway in many of the member states.
Bulgaria ruling party defiant as protests turn violent
Bulgaria's ruling conservative party on Thursday (3 September) resisted calls for Prime Minister Boyko Borissov's government to resign, after two months of protests against his perceived tolerance of corruption erupted into the most violent day yet.
Major political groups harbour corruption – Greens’ Freund
The major European political groups tolerate corruption and malfeasance among the member parties, says Green MEP Daniel Freund, who also analyses the weaknesses of instruments to fight the misuse of EU funds.
After two months of protests, Bulgaria is on the brink
The protest rally in Sofia on Wednesday (2 September) marked the peak of two months of demonstrations demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and Chief Prosecutor Ivan Geshev. EURACTIV's Kalina Angelova was there and captured the mood.
Stop funding our mafia, Bulgarians tell EU Commission
'Stop funding our mafia', read banners of a protest in front of the European Commission representation in Sofia on Monday (31 August). It was the 54th day of street protests in which Bulgarians are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and the country's chief prosecutor Ivan Geshev.
European Parliament committee raps Bulgarian authorities over corruption
A secretive European Parliament sub-committee discussed corruption in Bulgaria on Friday (28 August) in the presence of top Bulgarian officials, after more than 50 days of protests in the EU's poorest country. A journalist who took part in the session as a speaker provided insight to EURACTIV into what appears to have been a heated discussion.
Montenegro votes with identity, economy at the fore
Montenegro's pro-West leader is fighting to extend his party's 30-year grip on the EU candidate country on Sunday (30 August) in polls dominated by identity debates and anxiety over a pandemic-hit economy.
Hungary foreign minister: vacation on tycoon’s yacht is ‘my private life’
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó rejected allegations of corruption and calls for his resignation on Tuesday, speaking to the media for the first time after he was photographed aboard the yacht of a government-friendly tycoon more than a week ago.
Steve Bannon, key to Trump’s rise, charged with defrauding border-wall supporters
Steve Bannon, an architect of Donald Trump’s 2016 election victory, was arrested on a yacht on Thursday (20 August) and was charged with defrauding donors in a scheme to help build the president’s signature wall along the US-Mexico border.
Varied faces of Bulgaria’s anti-corruption protests
On Wednesday (19 September) EU leader are holding an extraordinary summit on the situation in Belarus. But EU member Bulgaria has similar issues with its democracy, with protests ongoing for a 42nd day in a row.
Instead of resigning, Borissov calls for new Bulgarian constitution
The national audience was expecting his resignation. But veteran Prime Minister Boyko Borissov made a televised address on Friday (14 August) in which he proposed a change of constitution – a move seen as an obvious attempt to buy time....
Lebanon’s leaders warned in July about explosives at port, documents reveal
Lebanese security officials warned the prime minister and president last month that 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored in Beirut’s port posed a security risk and could destroy the capital if it exploded, according to documents.
It’s high time for the EU to take the side of the Bulgarian citizens
EU leaders have to make up their minds and understand that they only have two options - to act on the side of Bulgarian citizens in their fight for a decent and modern European country, or to passively watch the failure of a member state, writes Radan Kanev.
Zelenskiy’s oligarch friend accused by US of stealing, laundering billions
The Justice Department of the United States accused on Tuesday (6 August) Ihor Kolomoysky, an oligarch considered close to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, of stealing billions from a bank he owned, and of laundering this money over the world.
In Beirut, Macron says Lebanese leaders need to hear ‘home truths’
Lebanon mourned on Thursday (6 August) the victims of the most powerful blast to hit a country that has already been struck down by an economic crisis, as rescuers searched for those missing since the explosion flattened Beirut port and devastated the city.
Bulgarian PM says he is ready to resign but wants government to stay
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov signalled on Wednesday (5 August) that he could resign following weeks of anti-government protests, but said his centre-right GERB-led cabinet should remain in place until an election due next year.
Former king Juan Carlos decides to leave Spain amid corruption allegations
Spain’s former king Juan Carlos has decided to leave his country, a dramatic exit designed to protect the monarchy after a barrage of corruption allegations surfaced against him.
Public anger over corruption hits support for Bulgarian government
Weeks of anti-government protests in Bulgaria have eroded public support for the centre-right GERB government of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, with opinion polls showing deepening political fragmentation amid concerns over corruption.
Wirecard scandal: Bundestag inquiry committee increasingly likely
A probe into the Wirecard affair is picking up speed. At a special session of the Bundestag Finance Committee, MPs have questioned top ministers and lobbyist influence over the government is becoming increasingly clear. Setting up a special inquiry committee is becoming more likely as a result. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Bulgarian protesters block crossroads, Danube bridge
Protests in Bulgaria against the government of Boyko Borissov grew stronger on Wednesday (29 July), the 21st day of revolt, as citizens blocked major crossroads, including a key Danube bridge at the country’s border with Romania at Russe-Giurgiu.
COVID-19: Why did the ‘good pupil’ Bulgaria lag behind?
Bulgaria was among the EU countries with the less cases of COVID-19 until mid-June, when measures were relaxed. Now Bulgarians are shocked that other EU nations introduce conditions to admit their compatriots on their soil.
Faced with anti-mafia protests, Bulgaria’s Borissov sacks three ministers
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov on Wednesday (15 July) asked his finance, economy and interior ministers to step down amid nationwide anti-corruption protests that have rocked the Balkan country for a week.