[REVISION HISTORY]

Bulgarian corruption allegations and DPS political response

Updated 3 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-21 10:43 UTC → 2026-10-22 10:51 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) parliamentary group initiated a push for a parliamentary inquiry into alleged corruption regarding public procurement contracts for protective covers, known as ‘mantinele’. The proposal requested testimony from Deputy Prime Minister Galab Donev and Minister of Regional Development Ivan Shishkov, citing suspicious contract indexations and pressure that reportedly led to the resignation of an executive director. The DPS also sought investigations into potential political protection provided by the Ministry of Interior and connections between a Prime Minister advisor and a company involved in contracts exceeding 900 million leva. Following these allegations, the DPS launched a national anti-corruption campaign titled ‘Shield for the People’. Led by Delyan Peevski, the initiative aims to address systemic mismanagement ~~in state and municipal administration~~ through legislative updates and increased oversight. During the campaign launch, Peevski criticized the current administration for alleged authoritarian tendencies and the misuse of the Ministry of Interior for political persecution. Under the ‘Shield for the People’ program, the DPS is advocating for greater transparency in public spending and procurement to ensure resources reach citizens without being lost to opaque contracts. Furthermore, the party has expressed opposition to oversight, while opposing administrative staff reductions in ~~state and municipal bodies, arguing that such cuts risk degrading public service quality. Instead~~ favor of ~~layoffs, the DPS advocates for structural optimization and~~ digitalization. ~~Political tensions~~ Tensions have escalated following law enforcement actions in Sungurlare. Prime Minister Rumen Radev accused opposition leaders Boyko ~~Borsov~~ Borisov (GERB) and Delyan Peevski (DPS) of losing control over state financial ~~flows and public procurement.~~ flows. In ~~retaliation,~~ response to the detention of Sungurlare Mayor Dimitar Gavazov, Peevski labeled Radev and Nikolay Koprinkov as the ‘top of the oligarchy’, alleging that Radev directs police and intelligence operations to target political opponents. ~~Borsov dismissed these claims~~ The DPS ‘Novo Nachalo’ faction has further accused the ‘Progressive Bulgaria’ government of using police forces as a ~~distraction from declining government approval ratings.~~ ‘political hammer’ to intimidate the opposition. This follows a series of police actions against three DPS mayors, including the arrests of Dimitar Gavazov and Radoslav Revanski, and a search at the home of Kardzhali Mayor Erol Yumyun. The party claims these actions are attempts to silence them after their mayors allegedly rejected ‘shameful offers’ to support the administration in exchange for protection. The DPS intends to notify European institutions of these alleged repressive measures.

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