GERB-SDS accuses Bulgarian government of interfering with National Audit Office

The GERB-SDS political party has accused the Bulgarian executive branch of attempting to interfere with the independent work of the National Audit Office. The controversy stems from an extraordinary audit of the Road Infrastructure Agency (API) covering the period from January 1, 2020, to May 30, 2026.

MP Temenuzhka Petkova alleged that Minister of Regional Development Ivan Shishkov presented data on September 9 as the result of a completed audit, citing certificates for over one billion leva for 2025. However, correspondence with the National Audit Office indicates that a final audit report has not yet been completed, as the deadline for the audit is September 30.

Petkova further claimed that the governing majority has attempted to dictate the specific findings and conclusions the auditors should reach, which she argues violates principles of objectivity and independence. GERB-SDS announced plans to notify several national and international institutions, including the European Commission, the European Court of Auditors, Eurostat, and the Bulgarian National Bank, regarding potential risks to the country's financial stability and the integrity of public finances.