Movement for Rights and Freedoms seeks hearing on road barrier corruption

The Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) has submitted a formal request to the Bulgarian National Assembly to hold a parliamentary hearing for three ministers regarding suspected corruption in public procurement for road safety barriers (guardrails).

The DPS is calling for the questioning of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Galab Donev, Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Ivan Shishkov, and Minister of Interior Ivan Demerdzhiev. The party seeks to investigate alleged corrupt schemes, the methodology for contract indexation—noting some contracts increased by over 160%—and claims of political protection for involved entities.

Specific allegations include pressure exerted by Minister Shishkov on the executive director of 'Avtomagistrali' EAD, Ivan Kunev, regarding the installation of barriers without proper contracts or certificates, which the party links to Kunev's subsequent resignation. Additionally, the DPS is questioning whether the Ministry of Interior investigated connections between a presidential advisor and businessman Nikolay Ivanov, whose companies have reportedly negotiated public contracts exceeding 900 million levs.