The second part of the Anti-Corruption Fund’s (ACF) investigation into the Chiren scandal reveals a network of politically connected appointments, family ties and potential conflicts of interest at the state-owned Bulgartransgaz.
According to the ACF, many key positions in Bulgartransgaz are occupied by individuals with political or corporate connections, often linked to leading parties. The network described includes:
– Relatives of high-ranking politicians and officials from state control bodies.
– Duplication of management positions between Bulgartransgaz and other state-owned companies.
– Appointments without public competitions.
The ACF published a video titled „Gas, relative, militiaman“ in which it presents evidence of an alleged clientelistic pattern at Bulgartransgaz. According to the foundation, this pattern may be the cause of the failure of the Chiren gas storage expansion, which is under investigation by the European Prosecutor’s Office.
Key examples from the investigation:
– Supervisory Board: members with ties to Russian energy interests and corporate positions potentially in conflict with national and European regulations.
– Management positions: Employees with links to prominent political figures, often linked to GERB.
– Gas Exchange „Gas Hub Balkan“: Duplication of positions between state-owned companies, calling into question the independence of the operator.
The investigation raises serious questions about the effectiveness of state control over Bulgartransgaz. The lack of transparency and accountability could undermine important energy projects and put billions of leva in national and EU funding at risk.
The ACF has asked questions of Bulgartransgaz, SANS and the CPC about the criteria for recruitment and compliance with legal requirements. So far only a private company has provided a response. The investigation is a call for more transparency and effective control over the management of strategic energy sites in Bulgaria.
Huge growth of the working poor in our country! How many people are working but have no money?
 investigation into the Chiren scandal reveals a network of politically connected appointments, family ties and potential conflicts of interest at the state-owned Bulgartransgaz.){kind=link}