Transparency

As tensions simmer in Bulgaria's agricultural sector, a divide emerges among farmers following the signing of an agreement with authorities. While some have opted for dialogue, others are staging roadblocks across the country, signaling ongoing discontent.

In a notable shift, Bulgaria has received its highest score in the fight against corruption in more than a decade, according to the Corruption Perceptions Index by "Transparency International." Scoring 45 out of a possible 100 points, the country rose two positions to claim the 67th spot in the global ranking of 180 nations.

Development Minister Kostas Skrekas stated on Friday that the government is "supporting healthy competition and protecting consumers" with the amendment passed by Parliament on the transparency of product prices, reducing the price of baby formula, as well as upgrading the e-Katanalotis platform.

Transparency International's latest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) regarding the public sector showed that with a score of 52/100 - which it shares with Cyprus - Greece is now ranked 51st out of 180 countries.

The CPI ranks 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption from zero (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).

Slovenia has fallen in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), which measures perceived levels of corruption in the public sector. It scored 56 out of 100 points last year, the lowest so far although it has kept 41st spot among 180 countries, level with Italy, Georgia and Czechia.

Bulgaria is once again at the bottom of the European Union in the 2022 Corruption Index of the international anti-corruption organization Transparency International.

Our country is placed in 72nd place with an index of 43 points. In the last place among the countries of the European Union is Hungary with an index of 42 points.

Romania's press is in the highest risk category regarding freedom of expression, according to the newest report on the Rule of Law in the EU released on Wednesday by the European Commission.

The Media Pluralism Monitor ranks EU member states into five risk levels: Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovenia are considered highest-risk countries.

The European Commission presented today the second annual report on the rule of law in the EU, this time making recommendations to individual countries. The EC recommends that the anti-corruption commission take consistent action to reach final verdicts in cases where senior officials are held accountable.

Transparency International says there has been a “significant decline” in Turkey’s tackling of graft over the last decade

Bechtel looks set to clinch yet another highway deal in the Balkans, and transparency advocates are concerned.