Bulgaria Classified as Top 'Dismantler' of EU Rule of Law, Receives €20 Million Green Loan
Bulgaria has been ranked among the top EU member states that actively weaken the rule of law, according to a report released by the Civil Liberties Union for Europe (Liberties) on Monday. The report, which spans 800 pages, categorizes Bulgaria alongside Croatia, Hungary, Italy, and Slovakia as "dismantlers" of the rule of law. This classification is based on the government's deliberate efforts to undermine the rule of law in all areas, including justice, anti-corruption, media freedom, and civil society checks and balances.
The report draws evidence from over 40 NGOs across 22 countries and highlights the regression of the rule of law in Bulgaria over the years. Ilina Neshikj, the executive director of Liberties, stated that the findings demonstrate "not only backsliding, but also ongoing and deliberate efforts to undermine the rule of law." She emphasized that repeating recommendations without meaningful follow-up will not reverse this trend.
In a separate development, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has lent €20 million to Bulgaria's copper fabricator, Sofia Med, under the InvestEU programme. This loan is the first of its kind in Bulgaria, as it links sustainability performance to pricing. The loan structure is a Sustainability-Linked Loan (SLL) with measurable green key performance indicators (KPIs) to promote recycling and increase the use of secondary recycled content.
The EU's rule of law report highlights a stark contradiction in Bulgaria's approach to governance. On one hand, the government is actively dismantling the rule of law, while on the other, it is receiving significant green financing from European institutions. This €20 million loan to Sofia Med is a prime example of the EU's efforts to promote sustainable development in Bulgaria. However, this funding must be seen in the context of the country's poor human rights record and regression of the rule of law. The EU must ensure that its investments in Bulgaria are not being used to further undermine the rule of law and human rights.
