The scandal with the issuance of Bulgarian passports for money six years ago may call into question Ekaterina Zaharieva's candidacy for European Commissioner, wrote “Politico”.
„Given the fact that one of Von der Leyen's priorities is the rule of law, the accusations cast a shadow over Zaharieva's candidacy,” Bulgarian MEP Nikola Minchev from PP-DB and the liberal group “Renew Europe” told the publication candidate Julian Popov was rejected.
„Politico“ also cites the publication "Yuraktiv", according to which a former employee of the migration department accused Zaharieva that while she was the minister of justice in the period 2015-2017, she participated in a scheme to grant citizenship for a fee, the "Debates" website recalled. .
In the material of the publication it is stated that, according to a report filed, the Deputy Prime Minister at the time Krasimir Karakachanov, the Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva and the MEP from GERB Andrey Kovachev are accused of committing a fraud that allowed thousands of foreigners to obtain Bulgarian passports against certain sums of money.
Through the Bulgarian passports, those who bought them have acquired the possibility of visa-free travel throughout the EU, the article begins.
These statements were presented to “Yuractiv“ from the whistleblower Katya Mateva, former director of the Citizenship Council, the body that participates in the decision-making process for granting Bulgarian citizenship to foreigners, specified "Debates".
Mateva was fired by Zaharieva in 2016 after refusing to participate in the fraud, she herself claims.
Zaharieva herself denied the accusations and there were no consequences for her.
„Given the fact that one of Von der Leyen's priorities is the rule of law, the accusations cast a shadow over Zaharieva's candidacy,” Bulgarian MEP Nikola Minchev from the PP-DB and the liberal group “Renew Europe” told the publication candidate Julian Popov was rejected.
Ursula von der Leyen can still replace Ekaterina Zaharieva with Julian Popov, adds “Politico”. Moreover, Bulgaria was the only country that nominated two candidates – one man and one woman, as requested by the President of the EC.
Ursula von der Leyen must announce the composition of the future Commission tomorrow morning in the European Parliament.