Bulgaria sues its road agencies over dangerous highways

A group of lawyers has filed a collective lawsuit at the Sofia City Court against Bulgaria’s Ministry of Regional Development and the Road Infrastructure Agency, alleging illegal action or inaction that has left the national road network unsafe. The plaintiffs cite official police data showing 3,032 road accidents, 219 deaths and 3,759 injuries up to the end of June. They demand a detailed inspection of the road infrastructure within six months and that all roads be brought up to safety standards within five years, focusing on pavement condition, markings, signage and guardrails. The case hinges on a decision by the Constitutional Court, as recent legal changes restrict collective actions to consumer cases unless a constitutional ruling declares the restriction unconstitutional. Lead lawyer Elitsa Buенова emphasized that the request is for prioritised upgrades, not a complete rebuild of the network.