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An alarming signal for Bulgaria came today from Brussels. The EC has announced that it intends to link the allocation of money from European funds to the rule of law in member states. This was announced in the first speech by the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen on the state of the union.
Of course, the focus of the speeches was on the coronavirus crisis and the challenges facing the community in the aftermath of the COVID-19 epidemic. However, financial assistance to Member States will be strictly linked to the rule of law.
“The Commission attaches the utmost importance to the rule of law. Therefore, we will protect the money of the next generation EU budget against all fraud, corruption and conflicts of interest. This is non-negotiable,” said von der Layen.
We recall that the program in question amounts to EUR 750 billion. However, the statement by the President of the European Commission comes in the context of a series of riots in the Bulgarian government and the relentless demonstrations against the ruling party and the Attorney General, which take place for almost 70 days. Furthermore, it became clear today that uncomfortable questions were sent to the government and the prosecutor about the Barcelona Gate scandal and the scandalous leaked recordings.
“Before the end of the month, the commission will present its report on the rule of law, an early tool to detect problems, as a starting point for all members,” so that there is no deviation from the general principles, “said Von der Layen .
It is expected on September 23 and aims to show the state of the rule of law in all countries and will be a continuation of the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism, which has so far only monitored Bulgaria and Romania. However, for the first time, this monitoring is combined with financial penalties.
