site.bta Government to Propose New Anti-corruption Authority by End-April

Government to Propose New Anti-corruption Authority by End-April

Sofia, April 3 (BTA) - The Council of Ministers should pass a
bill concerning a new anti-corruption authority by the end of
April, Deputy Prime Minister for European Policies Coordination
and Institutional Affairs Meglena Kuneva told journalists
Friday. Kuneva and Justice Minister Hristo Ivanov presented the
National Strategy for Prevention and Countering Corruption
2015-2020 at the Council of Ministers.

The new authority will begin to operate effectively in the
beginning of 2016 at the latest. The idea is not to duplicate
but to join institutions. It is yet to be decided whether this
will be an agency or a commission. Its management will be
appointed by public procedure, with nominations probably made by
 the Council of Ministers but approved by the National Assembly.
  
The main reason to draft the strategy is that people should feel
 well in their own country. Corruption exists but the incumbent
will do what they have to eradicate it step by step, Kuneva
said.

The strategy has six priorities. These are related to fighting
corruption in the corridors of power, the political system (most
 importantly the election process), relieving people from petty
corruption, the fight against such practices in the Interior
Ministry and the judicial system and creating an environment of
public intolerance.

The establishment of the new authority will make it necessary to
 close and transform existing units such as the Commission for
the Prevention and Detection of Conflict of Interest,  BORKOR,
departments at the Audit Office and others, the strategy says. 
 

The main form of countering corruption will be administrative
resistance and prevention - the most rapid way in which the
state can react without waiting for criminal proceedings. The
penalties should have an actually preventive effect.

Conflict of interest statements will have a broader scope The
scope of people associated with the authorities will also be
increased, as well and in-depth investigation of inexplicable
wealth. Uniform rules for checking alerts, including anonymous
ones, will be introduced. There will also be awards for
investigating journalists.