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Boyko Borissov, Bulgarian populist leader, faces popular uprisingit won’t go away.
For more than two months, thousands of Bulgarians have taken to the streets of Sofia to demand his resignation. They condemn the government’s inability to address growing corruption, the impact of organized crime and the lack of basic standards for democracy, James Pardew, former US ambassador to Bulgaria (2002-2005), deputy assistant general, told Politico. Secretary of Operations of NATO and Intelligence Officer of the United States Army.
Borissov and his aides responded to the mass demonstrations and discontent by adhering to stronger to power. In the absence of progress despite weeks of relentless pressure, it is time for Europe to make it clear that it supports the people of Bulgaria and calls for true democracy, and to take concrete steps to help them achieve this goal.
Bulgaria has a superficial image of a democratic nation, but in reality its political and judicial structure has rotted to the core.
Since the country adopted parliamentary democracy in 1991, political parties, movements, and governments have come and gone, ignoring public expectations about the basic elements of democracy. During the Borissov government, the situation got much worse.
Borissov created a system with many of the characteristics of a one-party state. He effectively destroy the country’s political opposition through the widespread use of intimidation, local corruption, and alleged massive vote buying in communities. The ruling party, Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB), is gradually consolidating power at the expense of democracy and development.
Borissov and his political apparatus can be characterized as “Putin’s light”, using the same tactics as Russia’s strongman, but the path is less strict. Although Borisov likes to present himself as a populist, his methods are authoritarian.
Bulgaria also has a gallery of wealthy “oligarchs”, including Delyan Peevski, who controls it. the dissemination of the media throughout the country. Membership in this club requires the support of Borissov and GERB. The benefits can be significant for followers and severe penalties for others. As such, the dividing line between legitimate businesses and organized crime is blurred, and successful businesses are subject to prosecution and hostile acquisition of their assets.
All this with the support of the police and the judiciary, which Borissov and GERB largely control.
Not on the street, but Borissov dictated whether there would be early elections
According to Stoycho Stoychev, the prime minister did not lose control of his party
This is a system designed for large-scale corruption. As protesters know, this too is a system, which stifles individual initiative, represses the press and discourages foreign investment. All of this encourages young Bulgarians to leave their country to find their future in other more open and democratic societies.
If Europe cares about defending democracy, it must now take the initiative to support its demands for change.
Unfortunately, Washington will not help improve democracy in Bulgaria while Donald Trump is in the White House. The president of the United States has no interest in promoting democracy during his term in office, and this is unlikely to change as the US elections approach.
The EU, which provides huge subsidies to Bulgaria, has the means and the interest to address the lack of regulation.or the law, freedom of the press and other basic elements of democracy in Bulgaria. Ultimately, EU funds that are subject to abuse and corruption come from EU taxpayers, and the EU has a responsibility to ensure the safety of these funds.
In the short term, European countries and the EU must recognize the legitimacy of public demonstrations in Bulgaria and the weaknesses of democracy in the nation.
As a second step, the EU should announce that it will carry out an intensive investigation into the use of EU funding in Bulgaria and that it will impose legal references and sanctions.
A third step should include election observation, a press freedom review and proposals for the implementation of judicial reform in Bulgaria.
The EU has more than enough power, oversight and implementing organizations to investigate and hold the Bulgarian government accountable in areas where EU funding is applied.
In the end, the future of Bulgaria must be decided by the Bulgarians, but today the Bulgariansadvocating for street democracy may not achieve the basic democratic changes they seek.
If Europe wants to be a union of true democracies, the EU and its member states must defend and fight for this ideal.
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