New reports reveal that a significant 17 billion euros in public procurement contracts were awarded without competitive bidding, with an upgraded SIGMA report indicating that companies linked to 250 politicians have secured these contracts over the past five years. Additionally, a newly launched state system for tender transparency is criticized for lacking essential features, hindering its effectiveness.

Mediapool: Public procurement worth 17 billion euros won without competition

A significant portion of public procurement contracts in Bulgaria, totaling 17 billion euros, have been awarded without any competitive bidding, raising concerns about transparency and efficiency.

Dnevnik: Firms Linked to 250 Politicians Won Public Procurement

An upgraded SIGMA report has found that companies associated with 250 politicians have won public procurement contracts over the past five years.

Mediapool: State transparency system for tenders launched without AI and access to…

Bulgaria's new state system for tender transparency has been launched but is missing key features like AI and access to the Commercial Register, hindering its effectiveness.

Minister of Interior Ivan Demerdzhiev has officially requested the Account Chamber to conduct a comprehensive audit of the finances of Delyan Peevski, the leader of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) and a Member of the National Assembly. This action signifies a deepening political dispute amid ongoing scrutiny of corruption.

Dnevnik: Demeerdzhiev Demands Account Chamber Probe into Peevski's Finances

Minister Demerdzhiev has requested the Account Chamber to conduct a comprehensive audit of the finances of Delyan Peevski.

Sega: Dermendzhiev filed a signal against Peevski at the Chamber of Accounts

A political figure, Dermendzhiev, has filed a formal complaint against Peevski with the Chamber of Accounts, indicating a significant political dispute.

The National Assembly has initiated the procedure for electing members of the Supreme Judicial Council from the parliamentary quota before its recess. Separately, the appointment of a permanent chief prosecutor is not anticipated until next year.

OFFNews: Parliament Opens Procedure for Supreme Judicial Council Elections

Before the parliamentary recess, the National Assembly initiated the procedure for electing members of the Supreme Judicial Council from the parliamentary quota.

Sega: A regular chief prosecutor will be appointed at the earliest next year

The appointment of a permanent chief prosecutor in Bulgaria is not expected to occur before next year.

As presidential elections approach, two candidates are reportedly vying for the favor of Prime Minister Rumen Radev. Concurrently, Bozhidar Bozhanov, a Member of the National Assembly, stated that his party is seeking a unifying presidential candidate. The National Assembly has also amended the Election Code to mandate machine voting in larger sections and remove limits on sections outside the EU.

Sega: Two presidential candidates are fighting for Radev's love

Two presidential candidates are vying for the favor of President Radev, suggesting a complex political landscape.

OFFNews: Party Seeks Unifying Presidential Candidate

Bozhidar Bozhanov stated that his party is looking for a unifying presidential candidate, not one that is narrowly partisan.

OFFNews: National Assembly Overhauls Election Code: Machine Voting Only in Large…

The National Assembly amended the Election Code, mandating machine voting in large sections and removing the limit on sections outside the EU.

The government plans to replace the leadership of the state-owned company 'Information Services'. Meanwhile, a garbage crisis continues in parts of Sofia, and Deputy Prime Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev revealed a water meter manipulation scheme in ViK-Burgas. Additionally, a complex situation involving conflicts of interest and alleged wiretapping is unfolding in Gorna Oryahovitsa.

Mediapool: Government to change leadership of Information Services

Ivan Vasilev announced that the leadership of the state-owned company 'Information Services' will be replaced, indicating potential changes in government IT management.

Mediapool: Demerdzhiev: Scheme to manipulate water meters operated in ViK-Burgas

Deputy Prime Minister Demerdzhiev revealed that a scheme to manipulate water meters was in operation within the water utility company in Burgas.

Mediapool: Garbage crisis in parts of Sofia continues; Municipality awaits documents, new…

A garbage collection crisis persists in some areas of Sofia, with the municipality awaiting necessary documents while the contracted new cleaning company claims readiness.

Mediapool: Conflict of interest, wiretapping of employees, and near-miss mayoral term in…

The article delves into a complex situation in Gorna Oryahovitsa involving conflicts of interest, alleged wiretapping of municipal employees, and a controversial mayoral election outcome.

Bulgaria imported as many workers in the first half of this year as in all of 2024, indicating a significant increase in labor demand. In other business news, Ivaylo Konstantinov is proposing to lease Gazprom's gas stations in Bulgaria for a nominal fee, and an examination of Bulgaria's involvement in the space industry was published. The 2026 budget was also broken down into ten key figures.

Dnevnik: Bulgaria Imports as Many Workers in First Half of Year as in All of 2024

For the first half of the year, Bulgaria imported as many workers as it did for the entirety of 2024, indicating a significant increase in labor demand.

Capital: Ivaylo Konstantinov Wants to Rent Gazprom Gas Stations for 1 Euro

A business deal proposal where Ivaylo Konstantinov seeks to lease Gazprom's gas stations in Bulgaria for a nominal fee.

Capital: Budget 2026 in Ten Figures

A breakdown of the Bulgarian budget for 2026, presented through ten key numerical points.

Capital: The Bulgarian Footprint in the Space Business

An examination of Bulgaria's involvement and contributions to the growing space industry.