The currently unrestricted public access to the Business (Trade) Registry of Bulgaria's Registry Agency will be limited and paid as of the beginning of 2012.

The amendment means that the companies' contracts, protocols, shareholders' decisions and other vital information will be hidden.

It passed with the votes of ruling centrist-right GERB and their closest allies, the far-rightist Ataka, just two days after an obscure Bulgarian company bought the country's giant bankrupt steel mill, raising suspicions who stays behind the deal.

"Transparency" is one of those annoying words politicians overuse on a daily basis while ensuring exactly the opposite is in place. As the taxpayers and the ruling class are going through a tough stage in their relationship – with polls showing people are growingly frustrated - it is an expected move on behalf of the latter to get rid of unpleasant questions like who is connected with this or that murky businessman.

The problem with hiding a rotten fish under the carpet, however, is that it will still stink.

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