Politico.eu: Bulgaria Lags Behind Romania in Its Efforts to Tackle Corruption

In an article published on Friday, Politico.eu notes the divergent paths Bulgaria and Romania have taken in their efforts to fight corruption, with Bucharest making progress and Sofia lagging behind.

The articles focuses on the role of Romania's National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA), which has made a deep impact in a country known for public malfeasance and mismanagement.

DNA indicted 1250 public officials for corruption in 2015, including former prime minister Victor Ponta, five ministers, 21 members of the bicameral parliament and the mayor of Bucharest. Furthermore, DNA ordered the seizure of EUR 500 M. Its actions have been welcomed by citizens, investors, the EU and the USA.

The article argues that the same can not be said for Bulgaria, where political instability and inability to tackle crime continue to be the norm.

According to the latest Corruption Perceptions Index of Transparency International, Bulgaria has the highest perceived corruption among the 28 member states of the EU, while Romania has the third worst.

Both countries are subject to regular reports under the EU's Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM), with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker recently commending the Romanian efforts. Juncker also stated that the mechanism would be lifted by the end of his term in office in 2019.

Former Romanian Justice Minister Monica Macovei, who was instrumental in Romania's success, says that DNA should serve as an example for the countries from the region and Europe as a whole.

She adds that the success would not have likely occurred without the support of former Romanian President Traian Basescu and the pressure exerted by the EU on Romania and Bulgaria to bring their institutions to EU...