Transparency and Anti- Corruption in Bulgaria Mr. Stefan Sofianski, Mayor of Sofia, Former Prime-Minister of Bulgaria Presentation at MADAGASCAR GOVERNMENT LEARNING RETREAT ‘‘Good Governance and Private Sector-led Growth for Sustainable Development: Challenges and Perspectives’’ Antananarivo June 13-15, 2003

Bulgaria’s Anti-Corruption Record The only European Union candidate country that improved substantially its TI Corruption Perception Rank in the past four years – from 66 th place (1998) to 45 th place (2002) Reduced sizably five out of seven corruption indicators in the period Steadily diminishing corruption pressure and practices Emerges as an anti-corruption leader in South East Europe

Rate of Corruption in Bulgaria Source: Coalition 2000min=0, max=10

Public Pressure Four Important Factors in Anti- Corruption in Bulgaria Political Will Public – Private Partnership International Support Anti-Corruption

Political Will – Not an Easy Story Anti-corruption efforts started in 1997 and climbed to the top of public agenda after the year 2000 Anti-Corruption came out as the single most important element in 2001 Parliamentary elections – the public no longer tolerated corruption and perceived it as the most detremental factor to development Major reforms have been initiated since In 2001 the Government in cooperation with the private sector and civil society has adopted a National Anti- Corruption Strategy and a detailed Anti-Corruption Program… …Next step - IMPLEMENTATION

International Support Bulgaria’s accession negotiations with the European Union have led to deep changes in the institutional and legal structures. Anti-corruption and related policies have been continuously under EU scrutiny and will stay on its radar screen in the future NATO entry requirements have brought substantial pressure on reforming the security sector and law enforcement institutions Bulgaria’s effective membership in a number of other international organizations (UN, OSCE, WTO, IMF, Council of Europe, etc.) has prompted additional action against corruption Donor institutions have been quick to react on Bulgarian requests for support in countering corruption

Public Private Partnership Coalition 2000 ( – a groundbreaking Bulgarian anti-corruptionan initiative started in 1997 by a number of non-governmental organizations aimed at combating corruption through a process of cooperation among governmental institutions, NGOs, private businesses and individuals. The Coalition 2000 elements: –Anti-Corruption Action Plan – a step by step guide for action adopted by all major stakeholders –Annual Policy Forum – stakeholder meeting to assess performance and give guidance for further action –Annual Corruption Assessment Report – the most comprehensive public-private policy document evaluating institutional, administrative and functional anti-corruption measures –Corruption Monitoring System – an indigenous system developed to ‘catch’ corruption trends in the country

The Six Action Lines for Bulgaria’s Clean Future Creating a Favorable Institutional and Legal Environment for Curbing Corruption Reforming the Judicial System Curbing Corruption in the Economy Enhancing Civic Control in the Fight Against Corruption Changing Public Perceptions of Corruption International Cooperation

Creating a Favorable Institutional and Legal Environment for Controlling Corruption Legislative reform – extreme legislative burden, which still results in low quality laws Public administration reform – initiated in , still ongoing Establishing new institutions and offices with controlling and monitoring functions, and improving existing ones – modern audit and control institutions have been established, still to improve their functioning Reform of the political party sphere – several attempts but no definite results

Controlling Corruption in the Economy (1) Transparency and accountability in the privatization process – the most corruption permeated sphere in the economy due to inherent conflicts of interest. Many reform efforts with low results. Fast is beautiful. Developing a transparent public procurement system. Limiting overall state involvement in the economy – only gradual progress and problems still persist. Liberalizing the conditions for private business development – large-scale reforms are over but some fine-tuning is further needed. Limiting corruption in financial and economic relations within the private sector – the theme only just begins to surface in public debate.

Enhancing Civic Control in the Fight Against Corruption Developing the institutional framework of civic control – emerging stronger, especially after the initiation of Coalition 2000 process Involving professional associations and trade unions in the anti-corruption campaign Cooperation with the media in implementing the anti- corruption campaign – some media have been allegedly involved in corrupt practices but a professional investigative community is emerging Cooperation with religious institutions to foster moral integrity and counteract corruption – a long term investment that has to pay off

Number of Press Publications about Corruption Source: Coalition 2000

Changing Public Perceptions of Corruption Anti-corruption public awareness campaign (Clean Future) – public acceptability of corruption has been lowered almost two times Public education campaign about the rights of citizens and obligations of the administration in the sphere of administrative services – citizens’ appeals to administrative courts against administrative mistakes rose by more than 30% a year (2000 – 2002), though from a low basis Anti-corruption campaign within the system of public education at its various levels – still a weak point though there are already curricula in anti-corruption

International Cooperation Cooperation with international organizations and integration structures International economic, financial, and trade institutions and organizations Regional organizations and initiatives Regional cooperation on a multilateral and bilateral basis Cooperation with government aid institutions on a bilateral basis