Series:Center for the Study of Democracy - CSD Policy Briefs

CSD Policy Brief No. 04: The Outstanding Agenda for Political Party Reform in Bulgaria

CSD Policy Brief No. 04: The Outstanding Agenda for Political Party Reform in Bulgaria

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

A well controlled and transparent political parties system is crucial for the strengthening of democracy and the rule of law in any country. For Bulgaria, in particular, this is a field that has often been subject to reforms, which, however, have been inconsistent and far from effective. The present legal framework of political parties (the Law on Political Parties of 2001) reveals a number of gaps. At present, there is a new Draft Law on Political Parties, recently submitted to the Parliament for second reading, which offers solutions to the above as well as other shortcomings. However, the support of the civil society and the international community is needed to speed up the passing of the law and to streamline the reforms prior to the upcoming 2005 parliamentary elections.

CSD Policy Brief No. 05: The Long Way of the Emerging Ombudsman Institution in Bulgaria: Six Months Later

CSD Policy Brief No. 05: The Long Way of the Emerging Ombudsman Institution in Bulgaria: Six Months Later

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

The present brief is aimed to examine the recent developments in establishing national and local ombudsmen in Bulgaria and is a follow up of Policy Brief No. 3 of May this year. The introduction of the ombudsman institution in Bulgaria on national and local level has progressed at different pace. On the one hand, the establishment of local public mediators (municipal ombudsmen) continued to gain speed and since May three more mediators have been elected. Thus, as of October 2004, public mediators are operating in seven municipalities, while in several others the election procedures are under way. Coalition 2000 through its Civil Society against Corruption Program continued to actively support and encourage the process. On the other hand, the establishment of the national parliamentary ombudsman is still pending at the National Assembly, which once again failed to elect an ombudsman. The second attempt did not succeed despite civil society pressure and its calls for a timely election of the national ombudsman through an open, transparent and nonpartisan procedure.

CSD Policy Brief No. 06: First steps of the Bulgarian Ombudsman

CSD Policy Brief No. 06: First steps of the Bulgarian Ombudsman

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

Although with a considerable delay, the election of the first Bulgarian ombudsman in April 2005 completed an important part of the process of introducing the ombudsman institution in the country. A civil society driven effort from the very beginning, the establishment of the ombudsman is a result of the effective public-private partnership between governmental institutions and non-governmental organizations. The continuation of this partnership is now among the key preconditions for the successful development and operation of the newly established institution.

CSD Policy Brief No. 07: Development of the Second National Anti-Corruption Strategy for Bulgaria

CSD Policy Brief No. 07: Development of the Second National Anti-Corruption Strategy for Bulgaria

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

Keywords: corruption;

On January 12, 2006, the Council of Ministers adopted a National Strategy for Good Governance, Prevention and Counteraction of Corruption 2006-2008. The document was part of the commitments made by Bulgaria in the field of anti-corruption in the context of its EU accession. The strategy was expected to be adopted and presented to the European Commission by the end of 2005. In the beginning of 2006 an inter-ministerial task force submitted a draft version of the strategy to the government but it revealed so many flaws that the government postponed its adoption. As a result, the task force invited the Center for the Study of Democracy to redraft the strategy.

CSD Policy Brief No. 09: The Introduction of a Specialized Anti-Corruption Service back on the Anti-Corruption Agenda

CSD Policy Brief No. 09: The Introduction of a Specialized Anti-Corruption Service back on the Anti-Corruption Agenda

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

Keywords: Corruption;

On the eve of Bulgaria’s EU accession significant results in prosecution and punishment of high level political corruption are still outstanding. In this context, the idea for creating an independent specialized anti-corruption service again became a topic in the anti-corruption agenda.

CSD Policy Brief No. 10: A Painful Shift in Bulgarian Anti-Corruption Policies and Practice

CSD Policy Brief No. 10: A Painful Shift in Bulgarian Anti-Corruption Policies and Practice

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

Keywords: CSD; CSD Policy Briefs; Center for the Study of Democracy; corruption;

In its March 2006 annual corruption assessment report On the Eve of EU Accession: Anti-Corruption Reforms in Bulgaria the Center for the Study of Democracy emphasized that “corruption, particularly in the high echelons of power, is one of the most critical problems faced by Bulgaria on the eve of its accession” as the Bulgarian “public tolerates less corruption and is increasingly concerned by it.” Bulgaria needs to present clear evidence of results in its fight against corruption, in particular on high political level.

CSD Policy Brief No. 11: The Future of Corruption Benchmarking in the EU

CSD Policy Brief No. 11: The Future of Corruption Benchmarking in the EU

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

Keywords: corruption;

Reducing corruption has been among the priorities of most international institutions over a number of years now. In particular, corruption was a major preoccupation during the 2004 and 2007 enlargements of the European Union and continues to dominate the agenda of the initial period of Bulgaria and Romania’s membership. Not being in the core of EU’s acquis, anti-corruption was a relatively new matter to tackle and, in contrast to other areas of EU competence, it had little specific guidelines to offer applicant countries. Still, the significance of transparent and accountable government for the functioning of the EU internal market and the delivery of its core policies required that anticorruption be made one of the key requirements for membership. // In this process, the European Commission advanced its capacity to evaluate anti-corruption progress. Following an initial focus on adherence to international standards and acceding to major conventions, attention later shifted to meeting specific good governance targets. Member states have also contributed to understanding corruption and recommending action through the mechanism of peer reviews.

CSD Policy Brief No. 12: Competitiveness of the Bulgarian Economy 2007

CSD Policy Brief No. 12: Competitiveness of the Bulgarian Economy 2007

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

With the partnership of CSD this year Bulgaria was included for the second time in the world’s oldest and most comprehensive annual report on competitiveness, the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2007 – published without interruption since 1989 by IMD (International Institute for Management Development). Bulgaria’s competitiveness was covered and ranked together with 54 other leading world economies. The annual rankings are a respected source of information for large international investors, but they also provide highlights to the public and policy-makers on the strengths and the weaknesses of the Bulgarian economy by focusing on four main factors: economic performance; government efficiency; business efficiency; and infrastructure—in science and technology, human capital, health, and education.

CSD Policy Brief No. 21: Investigation of Money Laundering: an Institutional Approach

CSD Policy Brief No. 21: Investigation of Money Laundering: an Institutional Approach

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

Keywords: Money Laundering; grey economy;

The latest research by the Center for the Study of Democracy reveals that the annual revenue from organized criminal activities and corruption amounts to more than BGN 4 – 5 billion per year. This amount only includes criminal incomes from trafficking and distribution of drugs, smuggling of cigarettes and other excise goods, prostitution, corruption (related to rigging of public procurement) as well as tax and VAT fraud. The above estimated amount of “dirty money” in the economy excludes revenue from other illicit activities, such as financial fraud, trafficking in cultural goods, as well as money generated by Bulgaria’s sizeable grey economy, estimated at 30% of GDP in 2009. In addition, the growing real estate market in Bulgaria made the country an attractive destination for laundering of large amounts from illicit revenues from Europe and other continents. The actual size of the inflows of “dirty money” into the country is, therefore, hard to estimate, as there are difficulties in assessing the amounts coming from abroad.

CSD Policy Brief No. 22: The Energy Sector of Bulgaria

CSD Policy Brief No. 22: The Energy Sector of Bulgaria

Author(s): Boyko Nitzov,Ruslan Stefanov,Valentina Nikolova,Dobromir Hristov / Language(s): English

Energy security in Central-Eastern Europe and the Black Sea region is fraught with risks. By virtue of its geography, Bulgaria finds itself in a difficult nexus, drawn into Eurasia’s contentious energy geopolitics and as a European Union member, involved in the Union’s fragmented energy policy and complex regulatory, energy efficiency and climate change objectives. That position is challenging, but it also presents decision-makers in Sofia with opportunities. The EU-backed Energy Community, of which Bulgaria is a member, seeks to foster regional cooperation in the Balkans and around the Black Sea, but is stymied by geopolitical questions such as Turkey’s EU membership prospects and Russia’s assertive energy strategy within the EU. On the other hand, Bulgaria is actively involved in geopolitics due to the country’s almost 100 percent dependence on imported gas from Russia through one pipeline, which forces it into seeking answers to the questions. Bulgaria imports about 75% of its primary energy resources (oil, gas, nuclear fuel, coal) from Russia.

CSD Policy Brief No. 42: The Hidden Economy in Bulgaria in 2013

CSD Policy Brief No. 42: The Hidden Economy in Bulgaria in 2013

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English,Bulgarian

Accurate understanding of the dynamics of the hidden economy is essential for improving public and private sector management. In the case of Bulgaria, the high level of hidden economic activities signals many deficiencies in the functioning of the public institutions and the rule of law, and undermines the economic development of the country. Limiting the grey economy ought to be an issue of imminent priority for policy makers. The recent unparalleled global growth of digitalization of economic activities provides ample opportunities to reduce hidden cash flows and directly contribute to positive economic development of the country. Comprehensive, sustained reforms focusing on improvements in market and administrative efficiency are needed to facilitate the process of economic convergence and limit the negative effects of the hidden economy in Bulgaria.

Policy Brief: Cybercrime

Policy Brief: Cybercrime

Author(s): Maria Yordanova,Dimitar Markov,Todor Galev,Mike Hough,Gillan Hunter,Stefano Maffei / Language(s): English

Keywords: CSD; Center for the Study of Democracy; Policy Brief; Cybercrime

This Policy Brief summarises key findings from the FIDUCIA cybercrime survey, conducted in selected member states, but it also provides an overview of existing data and research on the prevalence of cybercrimes and the public attitudes towards them. The role of current national and European legislation, policies and practical measures are assessed in terms of their deterrent or preventative effects and the potential role for cross-national cooperation and self-regulation to control or prohibit cybercrime are reviewed.

CSD Policy Brief No. 94: TurkStream and the Russian Economic Influence in Europe

CSD Policy Brief No. 94: TurkStream and the Russian Economic Influence in Europe

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

Russia has sought to undermine common EU energy rules and monopolize markets by promoting two politically driven gas projects: Nord Stream II and TurkStream. The EU push for gas diversification has fallen prey to the private interests of European energy companies, financial institutions, construction firms and industrial behemoths that have benefited from Gazprom-led projects. In this policy brief, the Center for the Study of Democracy sheds light on how the TurkStream gas pipeline perpetuates the CEE dependence on Russian gas amid unnecessary infrastructure spending diverting scarce resources away from productive investments. The project blocks the diversification of gas markets, including by preventing cheaper LNG supply to compete with Russian gas in Europe. The brief calls for a more active role for the EU and the U.S. in developing a robust monitoring and enforcement mechanism to discontinue energy projects that might undermine the security of supply, energy source diversification and the integration of the EU energy markets in its different regions.

CSD Policy Brief No. 92: Lost in transition: Bulgaria and the European Green Deal

CSD Policy Brief No. 92: Lost in transition: Bulgaria and the European Green Deal

Author(s): Martin Vladimirov,Radostina Primova / Language(s): English

The National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) are supposed to be the member states’ roadmap for achieving the EU’s 2050 ambitious carbon neutrality goal. The policy measures within these strategic documents are meant to reconcile the tension between past path dependency on carbon intensive national energy sectors and economies and the drive towards new green technologies. The Bulgarian NECP reveals moderate progress on energy efficiency, renewable energy and regional power market integration goals. Yet it does not build a strong foundation for enabling a transformational policy path until 2050. Neither does it clearly outline the spill-over effects from the energy sector into all aspects of the economy and society. This policy brief analyses the main elements of the final version of the Bulgarian NECP and proposes targeted policy measures on how to better implement it over the next decade.

CSD Policy Brief No. 98: Capture Proofing Media in Southeast Europe

CSD Policy Brief No. 98: Capture Proofing Media in Southeast Europe

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

The emerging democracies in Southеast Europe (SEE) represent one of the most vulnerable regions in Europe to foreign malign influence. On the one hand, domestic developments in SEE states related to democratic backsliding and the erosion of civic and political liberties have fed into low governance standards and public disenchantment. On the other hand, foreign authoritarian states, primarily Russia and increasingly China, have intensified their sharp power influence efforts directed at further derailing faith in liberal democracy and presenting authoritarianism as a more viable political alternative. This brief presents the policy recommendations on a comprehensive Transatlantic response to Russia and China’s media capture influence in Southeast Europe, including EU members Bulgaria and Croatia as well as EU aspirants Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania and Kosovo. It reviews the scope, means and reach of Russia’s sharp power influence through the phenomenon of media capture in Southeast Europe and proposes a framework for addressing governance gaps in the Balkans, which could help build resilience to foreign malign influence in the region.

CSD Policy Brief No. 95: Now or never: will Bulgaria catch the last train to green economic recovery?

CSD Policy Brief No. 95: Now or never: will Bulgaria catch the last train to green economic recovery?

Author(s): Radostina Primova / Language(s): English

The twin goals of green and digital transition are at the heart of the next EU budget-and-recovery package 2021-2027. With enhanced climate conditionality, EU spending priorities will be tightly linked to EU climate policies. The endorsement of the more ambitious EU 2030 emissions reduction target of 55% necessitate a coherent coal phase out strategy to be put in place in Bulgaria as early as possible.Yet, both the draft national operational programmes and the draft National Recovery and Resilience Plan of Bulgaria lack a comprehensive assessment and long term perspective on how to best mobilise the available EU funds. They need to better demonstrate significant emission reductions across different sectors. The focus of the Plan and the operational programmes should move away from large infrastructure projects (including nuclear and gas) to providing resources for more decentralised sustainable energy projects, tackling energy poverty and supply diversification.

CSD Policy Brief No. 93: Mapping Policy Options for Renewable Energy Communities in Europe

CSD Policy Brief No. 93: Mapping Policy Options for Renewable Energy Communities in Europe

Author(s): Radostina Primova,Christophe Rolland,Todor Galev / Language(s): English

Consumer (co-)ownership in renewable energy (RE) is an essential ingredient of the overall success of the transition to a low-carbon economy and society in Europe. When consumers acquire ownership in RE projects, they can become prosumers generating a part of the energy they consume. Thus, reducing their overall energy costs, while at the same time potentially generating additional income, through the sale of excess production. Yet, becoming a prosumer requires availability of time, headspace and access to substantial up-front investment, as well as access to information and knowledge of the various possible options. This creates burdens for many EU citizens, especially vulnerable groups, including women, who are underrepresented in technological industries, and those who are of low-income, energy poor or low-educated.Based upon the findings and conclusions from recent research on the economic, social, technological and governance enabling conditions and barriers in promoting prosumership and renewable energy communities in Europe, an international team of researchers and practitioners is endeavouring to facilitate the co-ownership in RE. It has done so by piloting a new financial model, the Consumer Stock Ownership Plan, in Italy, the Czech Republic and Germany with numerous European cities following.As a financial instrument, the Consumer Stock Ownership Plan brings several advantages with regard to the set-up of Renewable Energy Communities. It also provides consumers with flexible participation, external financing and long-term loan repayment, thereby encouraging the engagement of low-income households.

CSD Policy Brief No. 90: A Comprehensive Model for Illicit Cigarette Market Assessment

CSD Policy Brief No. 90: A Comprehensive Model for Illicit Cigarette Market Assessment

Author(s): Atanas Rusev,Mariyan Sabev / Language(s): English

The model for illicit cigarette market assessment at regional level is a comprehensive approach to analyse the combined effect of two types of factors: the ones linked to law-enforcement bodies' performance and the region-specific drivers and barriers to the illicit trade in tobacco products. It was developed drawing on police and industry data from 4 countries – Bulgaria, Italy, Greece and Romania. The model not only allows to identify regions which are at high risk with regard to illicit trade in tobacco products, but also helps identify the measures needed to curb this illegal market.

CSD Policy Brief No. 89: Russia’s Economic Influence in the Balkans: Tackling Kremlin’s Sharp Power

CSD Policy Brief No. 89: Russia’s Economic Influence in the Balkans: Tackling Kremlin’s Sharp Power

Author(s): Martin Vladimirov,Ruslan Stefanov / Language(s): English

The weakening of the EU gravitational pull leaves a power vacuum in the region that is readily filled in by authoritarian powers such as Russia and China. They are taking advantage of the democratic backsliding and the widespread state capture among dysfunctional institutions to expand their economic and political influence. This policy brief zooms in on Russia estimating its economic footprint in Southeastern Europe following the imposition of EU and US sanctions in 2014 and showcases the most important elements of the Russian strategy in the region. Russian economic influence has declined since the imposition of U.S. and EU sanctions in 2014, but Russian companies still control between 5 and 10% of the regional economy, including strategic companies such as the largest refineries, fuel distribution networks, gas transmission and storage facilities, telecoms and retail chains. Meanwhile, the Kremlin has amplified its influence and yielded sharp power in the region through employing all instruments from its playbook, such as supporting mainstream and fringe political parties, employing media, cultural and religious ties, sponsoring civil society activities, and pulling former security services’ strings.

CSD Policy Brief No. 88: Energy Transition Governance for Better Energy Security in Europe

CSD Policy Brief No. 88: Energy Transition Governance for Better Energy Security in Europe

Author(s): Todor Galev / Language(s): English

The European Green Deal pledge of the incoming European Commission confirms that energy transition and the European Energy Union will remain centre stage in European policy-making. The combination of new regulatory and technological innovations, the deepening of the interactions between energy and climate policies, and the corresponding shifts in individual and collective behaviour opens new opportunities for business and society to benefit from the energy transition. But they also provoke new governance challenges to both policy makers and citizens. The advent of the prosumer, the energy producing consumer, as a foundation of successful energy transition, requires profound changes at the EU, national, local, and household level. In particular, the need for increasing the social acceptability and public awareness of energy transition policies, puts new emphasis on the energy security four-fold challenge of availability, reliability, affordability and sustainability. Solving this complex challenge requires understanding of the factors influencing household prosumption choices, in the first place. But it also calls for adequate energy transition policy choices and effective tools to steer quickly through the changing energy security landscape.Europe, as a large energy consumer faces different choices from individual member states. Navigating these choices has become more complex and challenging amid continuing environmental challenges, the souring of US – China trade relations and the resurgent Russia confrontation. Consumers have grown more concerned with the rising cost of energy transition, in particular in lower income member states in Central and Eastern Europe. Russia’s strategic political projects in gas supply like Nord Stream 2 and Turkish Stream have divided the European Commission and member states. Similarly, LNG terminals and shale gas development have attracted supporters and opponents, with no common European policy in sight. New nuclear power plants such as Paks II in Hungary, Hinckley Point in the UK, Belene in Bulgaria have underscored the importance of designing and implementing socially inclusive and sustainable policies alongside the economic benefits and energy security.