Bulgaria Nationalist Leader Heads Anti-Corruption Body in Parliament

Bulgaria’s nationalist leader Volen Siderov. Photo by Sofia Photo Agency

Bulgaria’s nationalist leader Volen Siderov will head the parliamentary body for corruption combat, conflict of interests and ethics, MPs decided.

Last week Socialist leader Sergey Stanishev hinted at this development, saying that this post is the only thing Siderov wanted for his party.

"I see no reason why not to give that post to him,” Stanishev said, turning a blind eye to the nationalist controversial reputation and recent displays of arrogance.

Bulgaria's leaders have been for years the subject of humiliating criticism by the European Commission, worried about endemic corruption and links between organised crime and some bits of the governments.

Siderov’s election made analysts draw comparisons with the leader of another party, which entered the previous parliament campaigning against corruption, Order, Law and Justice.

Its leader, Yane Yanev, had a habit of producing classified information to back up his claims. That prompted accusations, which he denied, that he is a front for the secret services.