Today, March 2, 2026, marks the formal end of the public consultation period on the Draft Law on Transparency and Integrity in Governance, a long-awaited initiative prepared by a working group under the Ministry of Justice. However, as early as Friday, a group of members of parliament submitted the draft bill to the National Assembly without timely consultation and without incorporating key proposals from civil society organizations.
It is difficult to speak of “integrity in governance” when the process itself gives the impression of being rushed and of shutting down debate through the use of the so-called “fast track,” which is used precisely to avoid public debate and discussion.
Bulgaria has been delaying the establishment of a clear regulatory framework in lobbying for years. International standards, our commitments to our partners in the European Union, and the need to build public trust all call for a transparent system governing the interaction between public authorities and private interests.
Regulated lobbying is not a threat. It is a tool for open dialogue between the executive and legislative branches and the private sector.
When designed properly, it can ensure predictability in the decision-making process, equal access to information, traceability of meetings and their impact, and protection against improper and hidden dependencies.
As part of the working group, we, the civil society organizations of Bulgaria, made a number of specific proposals aimed at ensuring that the law is both effective and balanced.
Among them were:
- – a clear distinction between civic engagement, advocacy, and lobbying;
– clarifying the scope of the entities and activities subject to the requirements;
– assurances that the regulation will not impose an excessive administrative burden on civil society organizations;
– a public registry providing genuine traceability of contacts between lobbyists and public officials;
– clear rules regarding a “cooling-off period” when transitioning from the public to the private sector;
– an effective yet proportionate mechanism for oversight and sanctions.
Some of these proposals were not included, while others were incorporated in a distorted manner into the bill introduced by members of parliament.
It is particularly important for the public and all stakeholders to clearly understand the differences between the various forms of interest representation:
- – Civic engagement is an expression of every person’s right to participate in public life.
– Advocacy promotes the public interest, often through civic organizations that seek positive change.
– Lobbying is a more specific form of influence on public decision-making, carried out both professionally and non-professionally, and that is precisely why it requires transparent regulation.
– Confusing these concepts could lead to overregulation of civic participation or, conversely, to leaving actual lobbying practices outside the scope of regulation.
The Lobbying Act — or the Act on Transparency and Integrity in Governance — must provide a stable framework for open interaction between public institutions, the business community, and civil society organizations.
Transparency International Bulgaria calls on the Minister of Justice to continue the consultative process, as required by law, and to address the comments received within the established deadline. Submitting the bill to the National Assembly on behalf of the state will enhance the quality of the parliamentary debate and enable adequate regulation of public and accountable governance in the interest of society as a whole.