Bulgaria's President: No Political Will for Effective Fight against Corruption

According to Bulgaria's President Roumen Radev, the debates about the anti-corruption law and the rejection of the President's veto on it by the Legal Affairs Committee in Parliament show that there is no political will for real and effective fight against corruption. The Head of State made this comment after he participated in the ceremony for presenting the awards under the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme on 10th of January.

The President said he was not surprised by the decision for the rejection of the veto. He is convinced this law will not lead to more-effective fight against corruption.

Earlier on 10th of January, the Legal Affairs Committee in Parliament voted against the President's veto on the anti-corruption law and again backed the law as it was before it was returned by Radev for a new discussion.

As regards the Istanbul Convention which triggered many controversial comments, the President insists that there be a wide public debate before it is ratified. He has reminded that currently there are laws on the protection of women and children from domestic violence, but these laws are not applied successfully.

As regards the protests planned for tomorrow, 11th of January, which coincides with the official opening of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU, the President said he accepted hem as something normal in a democratic country. He noted that that anyone who has any demands is free to expose them in the form established by law.

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