Dragomir Stoyanov
Liberal democracy is backsliding in another EU member state. After more than a decade of GERB-party governance in Bulgaria – and the erosion of democracy and media freedom – the latest elections show how far the country is struggling to guarantee free and fair election process. Dragomir Stoyanov and Milen Lyubenov take a deep dive. Read more
Dragomir Stoyanov
Bulgarians recently went to the polls for the sixth time in three years to try and resolve an ongoing political crisis, writes Dragomir Stoyanov. The surprising results suggest a return to government made up of status quo parties and a likely end to any prospects of political reform. Read more
Ivaylo Dinev
On Sunday 9 June 2024, Bulgaria went to the polls for the sixth parliamentary elections in three years. Bulgaria's political crisis, however, is far from over, writes Ivaylo Dinev Read more
Emilija Tudzarovska
The EU economic crisis revealed a clash between the EU and national authorities. This clash is, however, only one part of the story. Events in Greece, Italy, Bulgaria and Slovenia, writes Emilija Tudzarovska, also revealed a crisis of party politics. This crisis has triggered appeals to populism and technocracy – technopopulism – which weakens yet further the institutionalisation of politics Read more
George Kordas
George Kordas argues that repeat elections can benefit democracy if democratic mechanisms function effectively, giving voice to people frustrated with the current system. But when, as in Bulgaria, elections produce paralysis, and old powers continue in office, this compromises citizens’ belief in democracy Read more
Ildiko Otova
Bulgaria recently celebrated the 80th anniversary of the State rescuing 48,000 Jews from deportation and death in Nazi concentration camps. On the surface, this reads like a nation-affirming narrative. But Ildiko Otova argues that the celebrations were merely another attempt to construct a mythology of Holocaust denial Read more
Ildiko Otova
Bulgaria has just held its fifth national election in two years. As in the previous four, there was no clear winner. The small lead for Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria (GERB-SDS) resolves nothing. Indeed, argues Ildiko Otova, it probably renders political stability even more difficult to secure Read more
Dragomir Stoyanov
In Bulgaria, the fifth parliamentary elections in the last two years were held on 2 April. These snap elections, just like their predecessors, juxtaposed parties of the status quo with reformists. This time, however, writes Dragomir Stoyanov, the status quo prevailed Read more
