Why did the European Commission criticize Bulgaria’s progress after it joined the European Union?

Following its accession to the European Union in 2007, Bulgaria faced significant criticism from the European Commission regarding its progress in meeting institutional standards.

In a 2008 report, the Commission issued a poor evaluation, concluding that the country had failed to make sufficient strides in three critical areas:
* Reforming the judiciary
* Combating corruption
* Fighting organized crime

These concerns persisted in subsequent years, with EU authorities noting that Bulgaria had not taken adequate steps to address these issues or protect press freedom. Furthermore, the government faced specific allegations regarding the misappropriation of EU funds. Due to these ongoing challenges, Bulgaria’s integration into the Schengen zone was repeatedly delayed despite the country meeting various procedural requirements.1