While the Competition Law safeguards against collusion, cartels, and other practices that impede competition, procedural and enforcement mechanisms have created ambiguities and abuses. Most state subsidizes have been removed though hidden subsidies via energy prices remain. Taxation policies lack transparency and can be considered arbitrary and venal, but lax enforcement and other obstacles have allowed most Bulgarian enterprises to evade taxes. Some 1,700 people have been affected. Women are guaranteed equal rights under law, and women have held prominent government offices, including caretaker prime minister.
Women do face de facto discrimination in employment.
Rural Roma have been discouraged from claiming land to which they are entitled under the law dividing cooperatives. Privatization laws, commercial codes, and related measures provide a comprehensive framework for the establishment of a market economy. Yet, Bulgaria has lagged in privatization, implementing agricultural reforms and improvements in infrastructures such as communications. Reports of corruption are widespread, particularly in illegal privatizations and the banking sector. Freedom House Survey of Economic Freedom 1995-96.