CSD Policy Brief № 46: Corruption and Anti-Corruption in Bulgaria (2013 – 2014)

Политически брифинг № 46 на CSD: Корупция и антикорупция в България (2013 – 2014 г.)

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

The policy brief makes an overview of the levels of corruption and the impact of corruption on the societal sectors. In 2014, the Corruption Monitoring System has recorded the highest levels of involvement of the Bulgarian population in corruption transactions in the last 15 years. In the past year Bulgarians have conceded to being involved on average in roughly 158 thousand corruption transactions monthly. Most corruption transactions have been initiated by the administration through exerting corruption pressure on those seeking public services. The public’s susceptibility to corruption in 2014 is similar to 1999 despite the increase of intolerance to corrupt behaviour. In the business sector corruption’s effectiveness for solving problems has grown in 2014. Most companies do not trust public organisations and do not consider they are treated equally in courts.

CSD Policy Brief № 47: EU and NATO's role in tackling energy security and state capture risks in Europe

Политически брифинг № 47 на CSD: Ролята на ЕС и НАТО за решаване на проблема с рисковете за енергийната сигурност и завладяването на държавата в Европа

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

The Crimean crisis and the continuing instability in Eastern Ukraine have turned into a rude wake up call for Europe’s energy security vulnerabilities. Russia has demonstrated its capacity to yield political and economic influence on the countries in the CEE and the Black Sea regions by leveraging its dominant position on their energy markets. Russia has pressured governments to support its flagship project, South Stream, at the expense of the countries’ long-term strategy to diversify their natural gas supply and in defiance of EU’s strategy for building a liberalised common market. Since the beginning of the crisis the EU and NATO have scrambled for finding the right measures to a balanced response to Russia’s growing assertiveness, while striving to alleviate the most acute energy security risks for their members.

CSD Policy Brief № 48: Anti-corruption measures in law-enforcement institutions

Политически брифинг № 48 на CSD: Антикорупционни мерки в правоохранителните институции

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

In countries with endemic corruption, integrity reforms can only be successful if anti-corruption institutions succeed in tackling internal corruption challenges. A sharp decline of corruption in law enforcement would provide society with the necessary tools to pursue tangible change. The experience of established democracies is that a successful transformation depends not simply on individual measures but rather on the introduction of sets of effective anti-corruption measures across the entire public administration. Corruption among lawenforcement officers has been viewed with an increasing concern by the authorities and the public in many European states. As a result, while no common approach has ever been tested with respect to the judiciary, elected politicians or the customs, countering police corruption has become an all-European effort. During the last decade, several European countries developed multi-institutional systems for police integrity. On EU level, platforms like the European Partners against Corruption (EPAC) were introduced, enabling specialised anti-corruption institutions to cooperate and share experience. In addition, Europol, Interpol and the UN developed and shared the blueprints of common standards and good practices in preventing police corruption.

CSD Policy Brief № 49: Media Ownership in Bulgaria: State of Play and Challenges

Политически брифинг № 49 на CSD: Собствеността върху медиите в България: състояние и проблеми

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

Transparency of media ownership and media pluralism are directly related to fundamental constitutional principles, rights and freedoms such as independence and freedom of the media, freedom of expression, pluralism of opinions and citizens’ right to information. Consistent application of these democratic principles is required to prevent the vicious practice of using the media as an instrument for state capture. The current publication makes a review of the legal framework for disclosing ownership of the media.

CSD Policy Brief № 58: Transparent Governance for Greater Energy Security in CEE

Политически брифинг № 58 на CSD: ПРОЗРАЧНОЕ УПРАВЛЕНИЕ И ЭНЕРГОБЕЗОПАСНОСТЬ В ЦЕНТРАЛЬНОЙ И ВОСТОЧНОЙ ЕВРОПЕ

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

The national and regional energy security of Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries has become a hot topic of discussion in the EU recently, focusing the attention of experts, policy makers, and the general public on ongoing and future energy projects but also on the features of energy governance in these countries. The interruption of gas supplies to Europe as a result of the Russian-Ukrainian pricing dispute in 2009, the continuing Russian-Ukrainian crisis after the annexation of Crimea, and the EU-Russia controversies regarding the South Stream pipeline project, as well as Gazprom’s non-compliance with the EU regulations in several anti-trust cases in the past few years are the major cornerstones that shape the CEE energy security framework and policy options as the region remains heavily dependent on Russian oil, gas, and nuclear technology. At the same time, the fragile democratic traditions in the CEE countries, the existing networks of political protectionism and economic oligarchy, and the opaque business practices nurtured by corruption and links with organized crime, have been reinforced by the negative implications of Russian economic and geo-political influence. Russia has exploited its dominant position in the energy market and its long-term links with certain political and economic groups to shape political decisions across the region according to its own interests, but often to the detriment of the home country consumers. The current review of energy security risks in four selected CEE countries, two energy poor – Bulgaria and Serbia, and two energy-resourced– Romania and Ukraine, assesses the factual situation per se and the transparency and accountability of energy policy governance in the region.

CSD Policy Brief № 59: Registration of Non-profit Organisations: Legal Framework and Recommendations for Reform

Политически брифинг № 59 на CSD: Регистрация на юридическите лица с нестопанска цел: правна рамка и предложения за промени

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

Improvement of registration of non-profit organisations (NPOs) – associations and foundations, is a necessary precondition for strengthening the civil society and increasing its transparency and accountability. An easy and simple registration procedure, with no duplication of information and functioning automatic exchange of data, is an important stage in the establishment of a modern registration system. It also guarantees the availability of reliable and up-to-date information on all registered entities.

CSD Policy Brief № 60: Media (In)dependence in Bulgaria: Risks and Trends

Политически брифинг № 60 на CSD: Медийната (не)зависимост: рискове и тенденции

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

The role of Bulgarian media in public life came under scrutiny after several media outlets were used as an instrument for triggering political crises and for political engineering (2013 – 2014). At that time, the Bulgarian media market was experiencing the impact of two negative trends. On the one hand, the economic crisis of 2009 – 2013 had cut advertising revenues by half. On the other, the old models of media financing were diminished by the use of digital technologies and the explosive growth of social networks and mobile communications. The loss of financial sustainability by the media presented unique opportunities for Bulgarian oligarchic groups. By accumulating a significant share of the media market, they reached an unprecedented level of political influence (including direct influence on the legislative, executive and judicial powers). The media was used as an instrument for state capture that could present severe security and economic risks.

CSD Policy Brief № 61: Drug users in prison: Norway’s experience and Bulgaria’s challenges

Политически брифинг № 61 на CSD: Употребяващите наркотици в затвора: опитът на Норвегия и предизвикателствата пред България

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

For all criminal offences related to drugs, even for possession of small quantities intended for personal use, the main sanction according to Bulgarian criminal law is imprisonment. Unlike in Norway, non-custodial penalties in Bulgaria such as probation have extremely limited scope of application for drug-related offences. At the same time, other alternatives to imprisonment are virtually non-existent.

CSD Policy Brief № 75: The Tobacco Market in Bulgaria: Trends and Risks.

Политически брифинг № 75 на CSD: ТЕНДЕНЦИИ И РИСКОВЕ ПРЕД ПАЗАРА НА тЮтЮНЕВИ ИЗДЕЛИЯ В БЪЛГАРИЯ

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

The illicit tobacco market is one of the key sources of revenue for organized crime in Bulgaria. During the economic turmoil in 2009-2014 the annual proceeds from this criminal activity have reached between 0.5% and 1% of the country's GDP. At the same time the budget revenues from tobacco taxation (both excise and VAT) contribute for 9 and 10% per year of the overall tax revenues in Bulgaria. // The current report examines the development of the illicit tobacco market in Bulgaria through the prism of economic risks, the political environment in the country and the region, and recent changes in the involved criminal networks and the institutional capabilities for counteraction. The publication was prepared in the framework of the study "Illegal Trade in Tobacco Products and the Balkan Route: Overcoming Institutional Gaps and Corruption" and is funded by PMI-IMPACT, a global initiative to combat illegal trade and related crimes.

CSD Policy Brief № 76: The Management of Frozen and Forfeited Assets in Bulgaria.

Политически брифинг № 76 на CSD: Управление на обезпечени и отнети активи в България

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

Civil forfeiture of illegally acquired assets is one of the most important tools in the fight against crime. Forfeiture is used by state authorities to strip criminals of their illicit proceeds, thereby preventing them from expanding illegal activities and reinvesting their proceeds into the legal economy. A secondary benefit of forfeiture is that forfeited property, or the proceeds of its sale, may be used to provide specialised services for the benefit of victims of crime. Moreover, the social re-use of forfeited criminal assets, which are transferred to local municipal authorities or non-governmental organizations, may serve as setting a public example for crime groups and is key in achieving transparency in the fight against crime.

CSD Policy Brief № 78: Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation in Bulgaria. Criminal Finances and Capacity for Financial Investigations,

Политически брифинг № 78 на CSD: ТРАФИКЪТ НА ХОРА ЗА СЕКСУАЛНА ЕКСПЛОАТАЦИЯ В БЪЛГАРИЯ: ФИН АНС ОВИ АСПЕКТИ И ПРАНЕТО НА ПАРИ

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

Trafficking in human beings (THB) for the purpose of sexual exploitation has become one of the largest Bulgarian criminal markets since the beginning of the new millennium. After the lifting of Schengen visas for Bulgarian nationals in 2001, Bulgaria became a major country of origin for the trafficking in human beings exploited in the EU. THB and prostitution not only generate huge incomes for Bulgarian organised crime but also have detrimental social and economic impact on local communities. // There is an urgent need to develop effective mechanisms for coordination between criminal and financial investigations within the prosecution, as well as with the other relevant institutions.

CSD Policy Brief № 79: Decentralisation and Democratisation of the Bulgarian Electricity Sector. Bringing the Country Closer to the EU Climate and Energy Core,

Политически брифинг № 79 на CSD: Децентрализация и демократизация на българския електроенергиен сектор: ПОСТИГАНЕ НА основните цели на Европ ейския съюз по отношение на енергетиката и климата

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

The first-generation renewable energy policy in Bulgaria was mismanaged to the benefit of a few politically well-connected companies and individuals unleashing a popular backlash against green energy. A low-hanging fruit to decarbonise the electricity sector would be the exploitation of Bulgaria’s enormous potential for decentralised power generation through renewable energy sources. Decentralisation of power supply would empower households and contribute to the decline of energy poverty. Bulgaria has a long-term potential capacity for decentralized PV-based power generation of more than 5.4 TWh per year, one-seventh of the current power consumption in the country.

CSD Policy Brief № 81: Energy Security in Southeast Europe: Тhe Greece-Bulgaria Interconnector.

Политически брифинг № 81 на CSD: Енергийната сигурност на Югоизточна Европа: ролята на газовата връзка Гърция – България

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

Southeast Europe remains reliant on expensive energy imports from Russia and is ill-prepared to withstand another major supply crisis. In this respect, the completion of the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB) would unlock the diversification process, which will increase the energy security of the whole region. To reap the full benefits and increase competition, there is a need to complete the liberalisation, diversification and integration of the regional gas market.

CSD Policy Brief № 82: Fraudulent Use of EU Funds in the Field of Agriculture. Current State, Investigation and Challenges.

Политически брифинг № 82 на CSD: Измами с европейски средства в областта на земеделието: състояние и предизвикателства

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

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget for 2014 – 2020 amounts to a total of 408 billion EUR , while 40 % of the EU annual budget is earmarked for agriculture. In 2013 – 2017 the EC received reports of a total of 18 281 cases on counts of fraud and other irregularities in agiculture, amounting to a total of 1.360 billion EUR. EU funds fraud can be committed through acts constituting an infringement, such as corruption, falsification of documents, influence peddling, circumvention of the law, conflict of interests, bribery, making false statements and others. It is crucial to employ innovative methods in the fight against fraud, such as satellite and thermal imaging, automated prevention systems and multi-channel civil society monitoring.

CSD Policy Brief № 84: Integrated Index for Illegal Cigarettes Market Assessment.

Политически брифинг № 84 на CSD: Интегриран индекс за Оценка на незаконния пазар на цигари

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

The proposed model for illicit cigarette market assessment at district level is the first tool to analyse the combined effect of two types of factors: the ones linked to law-enforcement bodies' performance and the district-specific drivers and barriers to the illicit trade in tobacco products.

CSD Policy Brief № 86: The Competitiveness of the Bulgarian Economy 2019.

Политически брифинг № 86 на CSD: КОНКУРЕНТОСПОСОБНОСТТА НА БЪЛГАРСКАТА ИКОНОМИКА 2019

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

In 2019, Bulgaria has regained one position compared to the previous year in the economic competitiveness ranking of the World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY), published by the Institute for Management Development (IMD). Bulgaria’s Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD) is IMD’s partner for the country. Bulgaria ranks 48th out of 63 economies. This is only a marginal improvement and remains significantly lower compared to its pre-crisis achievement of 2009 (38th place)

CSD Policy Brief № 91: Use of Corruption and the Illicit Market of Tobacco Products. Driving Factors and Trends.

Политически брифинг № 91 на CSD: Корупционният натиск и незаконният пазар на тютюневи изделия – движещи фактори и тенденции

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

Surveys of organised crime related to the illicit tobacco market in Bulgaria, conducted over the last 20 years, show an extremely intensive use of various corruptive practices at all levels of illicit trade. The record low level achieved at the end of 2019 - 3.3% according to the EPS, gave rise to a discussion regarding the risks of the market for illegal tobacco products growing again. // Expert estimates stipulate that unless there is an extremely dramatic change in taxation policy similar to these in 2006 or the 2009-2010 period, no significant shocks should be expected. The current analysis shows that criminal networks still active in the illicit trade in tobacco products have almost been completely destroyed at all levels. The fragmented residues that are still functioning do not have the capacity for significant expansion. In addition, market research shows that there has been a radical change in the attitude of Bulgarian consumers who have lost their habit of intensively searching for illegal tobacco products.

CSD Policy Brief № 99: Disinformation Narratives in the 2021 Parliamentary Elections.

Политически брифинг № 99 на CSD: ЧЕТИРИ ПОПУЛЯРНИ (ДЕЗИНФОРМАЦИОННИ) ПОСЛАНИЯ ПО ВРЕМЕ НА КАМПАНИЯТА ЗА ПАРЛАМЕНТАРНИ ИЗБОРИ В БЪЛГАРИЯ ПРЕЗ 2021 Г.

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

Keywords: fake news; disinformation;

The Bulgarian society has long been exposed to disinformation narratives in traditional and social media. The deterioration of media freedom on the back of the oligarchization of the media market has undermined the quality and objectivity of journalism. The media environment has been further undermined by the indiscriminate penetration of social media networks, which algorithms have further amplified sensationalist disinformation. This policy brief zooms in on the prevalence and connections to the pre-election campaign of four popular (disinformation) narratives related to conspiracy theories about COVID-19, to the support of the large Russian energy projects, the opposition to the European Green Deal and the growing anti-EU sentiments in the Bulgarian society.

CSD Policy Brief № 101: Green Recovery Pathways to Bulgaria’s Carbon Neutrality by 2050.

Политически брифинг № 101 на CSD: ценарии за възстановяване и постигане на въглероден неутралитет на България до 2050 г.

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

The least costly way to decarbonize is to trans¬form the electricity supply mix. This would mean the fastest possible phase-out of lignite-fired power plants, a transformational shift in Bulgaria’s renewable energy sector, leveraging private investments in new technologies such as offshore wind and geothermal energy, and the accelerated electrification of buildings, industry and mobility. The uptake of low-carbon technologies requires the modernization of the power grid and more investments in sustainable mobility infrastructure. In addition, the successful delivery of the green transformation process necessitates adequate monitoring procedures and control mechanisms to measure the performance of the different policy measures and ensure their compliance with the rule of law. // This Policy Action Document proposes targeted sectoral policy measures to facilitate the implementation of three decarbonization pathways with a 2050 horizon. It also promotes the need for changes in public policies and the regulatory framework to accelerate the transition process. The document aims to contribute to the development of a consistent green recovery strategy for Bulgaria in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal.

CSD Policy Brief №. 110: Tackling the Energy and Climate Security Conundrum in Southeast Europe.

CSD Policy Brief №. 110: Tackling the Energy and Climate Security Conundrum in Southeast Europe.

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

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has exposed Europe’s most painful energy and climate security vulnerabilities. It has exacerbated the energy crisis that has been raging since 2021, while also showcasing the excessive reliance of many EU Member States on Russian fossil fuel exports. Southeast Europe (SEE) is especially vulnerable to energy and climate security risks due to a myriad of factors. Tackling the region’s comprehensive energy security risks without comprising the climate transition process requires strong political will and the design of a new more ambitious energy and climate security strategy based on a comprehensive data-driven policy instruments such as European Energy and Climate Security Risk Index (ECSRI) that would enable the comparative monitoring of EU and national progress on a number of energy security, climate transition and good governance indicators. This policy brief pilots the ECSRI for Bulgaria, Romania and Greece as some of the most vulnerable EU Member States to energy and climate security risks.