Bulgaria’s government is preparing to shut down the Commission on Files, a long-standing body responsible for reviewing and disclosing links between public figures and the former State Security services. The move is included in the transitional and final provisions of the draft 2026 state budget, which was made public recently.
According to the proposal, Deputy Prime Minister Ivo Hristov will be tasked with overseeing the process. He is expected to prepare, by September 15, a set of legislative changes that would formally dissolve the commission and transfer its responsibilities to the State Agency “Archives.”
The draft budget allocates approximately 2.8 million euros for the commission’s operations, with around 2.3 million euros designated for staff costs. It also foresees that the remuneration of commission members will be aligned with that of members of parliament, although these salaries are currently frozen at their existing levels.
The Commission for the Disclosure of Documents and Announcing Affiliation of Bulgarian Citizens to State Security and Intelligence Services of the Bulgarian People’s Army was established in 2006 through a special law passed by the 40th National Assembly and began functioning in 2007. Over the years, it has been responsible for checking public officials and other individuals in senior positions for possible links to the former security services.
