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

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

CSD Policy Brief No. 42: Скритата икономика в България през 2013 г.

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

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CSD Policy Brief No. 43: Corruption and Anti-corruption in Bulgaria (2012 - 2013)

CSD Policy Brief No. 43: Корупция и антикорупция в България (2012 – 2013 г.)

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

The corruption trends indices for Bulgaria in 2013 are calculated through the Corruption Monitoring System (CMS) developed by the Center for the Study of Democracy and Vitosha Research. The results show that administrative corruption among the population in Bulgaria over the past two years remains practically unchanged. On average, over the period 2012 – 2013, 14% of the adult population has been involved in corruption transactions at least once per year.

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CSD Policy Brief No. 44: The Competitiveness of the Bulgarian Economy 2014

CSD Policy Brief No. 44: Конкурентоспособност на българската икономика: 2014 г.

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

In 2014 Bulgaria 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). The country is ranked 56th, while in 2013 it was 57th out of 60 economies. This is only a marginal improvement, and remains significantly lower compared its highest achievement in 2009 – 38th place. In 2014, Bulgaria is ranked higher than Croatia, Argentina and Venezuela as in 2013, and has surpassed its Southern neighbor Greece, which has fallen to 57th place, 3 places lower than 2013. There are no significant changes among the most competitive nations in 2014. The USA continues to hold the 1st position, as its economy is successfully recovering from the crisis thanks to a favorable business environment, characterized by a strong R&D culture and abundance of skilled labor as well as to a more accommodating policy stance in providing financial stimuli and lowering energy prices.The Center for the Study of Democracy has identified five key challenges, which hinder the competitiveness of the Bulgarian economy: • Introduce public administration reforms, and more and better e-government services; • Initiate performance-based financing of education; • Reduce energy security risks through energy efficiency and diversification of supply sources and technologies; • Improve regulatory control and compliance quality; • Tackle high level corruption and market capture.

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

CSD Policy Brief No. 46: 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.

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

CSD Policy Brief No. 47: 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.

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

CSD Policy Brief No. 48: 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.

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

CSD Policy Brief No. 49: 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.

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CSD Policy Brief No. 55: The Competitiveness of the Bulgarian Economy 2015

CSD Policy Brief No. 55: Конкурентоспособността на българската икономика 2015

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

In 2015 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). The country is ranked 55th out of 61 economies. This is only a marginal improvement and remains significantly lower compared to its highest achievement in 2009 – 38th place. The ranking highlights two particular commonalities among the best ranking countries. Firstly, nine countries from the top 10 are also listed in the top 10 of the business efficiency factor. And secondly, all top positions are occupied by economies which are driven by innovation-based growth. In the policy brief the Center for the Study of Democracy provides the following recommendations for increasing the competitiveness of the Bulgarian economy: • Tackle high level corruption and state capture; • Modernize public administration and strengthen independent regulators; • Adopt education for innovation-based growth; • Tackle energy poverty, energy intensity and supply dependency; • Improve the country’s branding.

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CSD Policy Brief No. 57: Regional Media in Bulgaria: The Limits of Survival

CSD Policy Brief No. 57: Регионалните медии в България: граници на оцеляването

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

The lack of adequate local media is a trend with devastating implications for the regions of Bulgaria. It affects not only the local public institutions; regional economic activity is also hindered by the absence of independent media. At the same time, when discussing the state of media in Bulgaria, the problems of local media are often overlooked. The current publication presents the results of a survey of 179 local media with internet presence. The analysis focused on the mechanisms and factors that prevent journalists and the media from informing the public in an objective, competent, and comprehensive way.

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

CSD Policy Brief No. 58: Прозрачно управление и енергийна сигурност в Централна и Източна Европа

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

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.

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

CSD Policy Brief No. 59: 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.

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

CSD Policy Brief No. 60: 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.

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

CSD Policy Brief No. 61: 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.

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CSD Policy Brief No. 63: Extortion racketeering: the vulnerability assessment approach

CSD Policy Brief No. 63: Оценка на уязвимостта към рекет

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

Extortion racketeering has long been pointed out as the defining activity of organised crime. It has also been identified as one of the most effective tools used by organised crime in the accumulation of financial resources and the penetration of the legal economy. Although in recent years this crime has not been among the top listed organised crime threats in the strategic EU policy documents, it still remains ever present in European countries. The seriousness of the phenomenon has been recognised at the EU level and the crime has been listed in a number of EU legal acts in the field of police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters.

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CSD Policy Brief No. 64: Hidden Economy in Bulgaria: 2015 – 2016

CSD Policy Brief No. 64: Скритата икономика в България: 2015 – 2016 г.

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

In Bulgaria the high level of hidden economy undermines the economic development of the country and requires serious and persistent political attention. The unprecedented growth in the field of digitization of economic activities, the convergence between some of them, and the emergence of brand new services creates an opportunity for achieving a desirable environment, which may reduce the hidden cash flows and boost the economic development of the country. Comprehensive reforms focused on the functioning of the market mechanisms and administrative effectiveness are needed in order to promote the process of economic convergence within the European Union and limit the harmful effects of the hidden economy in Bulgaria.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Policy Brief No. 87: Youth Guarantee Take-up among Roma in Bulgaria

Policy Brief No. 87: Youth Guarantee Take-up among Roma in Bulgaria

Author(s): Lilia Yakova / Language(s): English

The economic crisis of 2008 led to a drastic rise in youth unemployment throughout the European Union (EU), which continues to have effects a decade after the crisis. According to latest statistical data, by the second half of 2018 around 3.5 million people aged 15-24 within the Union have been unemployed. In response to that, in 2013 the EU initiated the Youth Guarantee (YG). According to a study by the Center for the Study of Democracy and World Without Borders, carried out in 2018 and 2019, the YG has low outreach among Roma youth in Bulgaria.

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