Tag "Bulgaria"
“There Are Such People” in Bulgaria’s Parliament
The new Bulagrian party There are Such People (ITN), led by the former late-night TV show host Slavi Trifonov and his screenwriters, entered the political scene with a bang. It secured more than 17 percent of the vote in the last parliamentary elections, but curiously refused to form a government when given the mandate. The party also did not participate in any traditional media campaigns instead choosing to utilise social media platforms. It is important to understand the rise of ITN as well as what this political phenomenon means for political life in Bulgaria, given the upcoming snap parliamentary elections in July.
Bulgaria’s pre-electoral tensions: From constitutional crisis to institutional trench war
In late summer 2020, people took to the streets of Bulgaria in their thousands to protest against the current cabinet. They shook Bulgaria with demands for the immediate resignation of PM Boyko Borisov and Attorney General Ivan Geshev. Shortly after, the standoff began to slowly but steadily evolve into a constitutional crisis. In 2021, events have morphed even further into an institutional trench war. The upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections hold the keys to the Sofia’s future.
The Bulgarian Energy Market between Subsidies and Challenges
Many know Bulgaria as the poorest country in the EU. The country consistently lags behind its Western partners and ranks the lowest in a variety of areas. From disposable income to media freedom, as well as corruption and trust in the government. However, there seems to be an area in which Bulgaria is outperforming the EU average: green development. A combination of subsidies and ponderous growth has fostered this outcome, but the way ahead is not guaranteed.
Small-Country Diplomacy: What if Bulgaria Prevents Further EU enlargement?
Discussions of further enlargement of the EU have largely stalled since the Brexit referendum. Among others, France emerged as the main obstacle on Western-Balkan countries’ path towards Brussels. But the recent Berlin Process summit has proved that Sofia could be an even tougher nut to crack, especially for Skopje.
Bulgaria: Can Civil Unrest Lead to Actual Change?
Protests in Bulgaria have been taking place for almost three consecutive months now. However, not much has been said in terms of whether this increasing civil unrest will lead to actual change within the state.
From protests to constitutional crisis: Boyko’s latest gamble
After years of stability and growth, Bulgaria is navigating a turbulent crisis while no one seems to be paying attention. What’s next for this small European country?
Turkey’s expedited European extraditions
Turkey’s ongoing effort to dismantle the supporters for Fethullah Gülen has underlined its influence in southeast Europe, where multiple countries have hurried to comply with requested Turkish extraditions. This raises hard questions
The new EU presidency: Priorities and the work ahead
Estonia, the first member of the Estonian-Bulgarian-Austrian trio that will govern the EU for the next 18 months, will assume the EU presidency on July 1. How will Estonia’s presidency
Pro-Russian wins in Bulgaria and Moldova: Ideology or pragmatism?
Last month, Bulgaria and Moldova elected pro-Russian presidential candidates. What do these victories signify: a reversal of ideological loyalties away from NATO and the EU and towards Russia, a public outcry against the corruption of the pro-Western governing elites, or a new era of ‘pivot states,’ which try to balance out their allegiances? A guest post by Dr. Gergana Dimova.
Are we seeing the end of anti-Russian sanctions?
Upcoming EU elections promise to see greater prominence of pro-Russian candidates, undermining Europe’s efforts to renew is Russian sanctions in 2017.
