Bulgaria Launches Investigation into Road Repair Corruption Amid Rising Accident Toll
Bulgaria’s acting Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov has ordered a full investigation by the Ministry of Interior into potential corruption surrounding road repair projects, following a concerning rise in traffic accident fatalities. The Prime Minister stated that the misuse of funds allocated for road maintenance is not simply theft of money, but a theft of lives.
Rising Accident Statistics Prompt Action
Gyurov highlighted a recent negative statistic indicating Bulgaria has one of the highest rates of traffic accident victims. This alarming trend, coupled with ongoing public protests over the poor condition of roads, prompted the call for a thorough investigation.
Concerns Over Misspent Funds
The Prime Minister questioned how funds earmarked for Bulgarian road repairs over a four-year period were reportedly spent within a single year, despite widespread complaints about potholes and deteriorating road conditions. He specifically referenced a public order worth half a billion euros for the repair of guardrails.
Ministry of Interior to Lead Investigation
Gyurov has directed the Ministry of Interior to conduct a swift and uncompromising investigation to determine if any crimes have been committed. The goal is to understand the operations within the road agency and hold those responsible accountable. Emil Dechev is currently the Caretaker Minister of Interior as of March 25, 2026, according to the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria website.
About the Ministry of Interior
The Ministry of Interior (Bulgarian: Mинистерство на вътрешните работи, romanized: Ministerstvo na vatreshnite raboti, abbreviated МВР, MVR) is responsible for national security and upholding law and order in Bulgaria. Established in 1879, the ministry’s functions include maintaining public safety and investigating criminal activity. More information about the Ministry of Interior can be found on Wikipedia.
Recent Ministry Leadership
As of September 2023, Atanas Ilkov was the Minister of Interior. Currently, Ivan Anchev and Kaloyan Kaloyanov serve as Deputy Ministers of Interior, appointed on February 24, 2026 according to the Ministry’s website.