Bulgaria
Bulgaria performs in the mid-range across all categories of the Global State of Democracy (GSoD) framework. It scores in the top 25 per cent of countries in several factors including Freedom of Movement, Political Equality, Economic Equality, Gender Equality, and Civil Society. Over the last five years (2018-2023), Bulgaria has experienced significant improvements in Access to Justice, Effective Parliament, and Absence of Corruption. It is an upper-middle-income country, with its economy primarily driven by services, along with industry and a growing tourism sector.
A coalition of Balkan countries led by the Russian Empire ended the five-century Ottoman occupation in 1878, and the Treaty of Berlin reshaped the map of the Balkans, including Bulgaria’s borders. The country gained de jure independence in 1908. Following World War II, it fell under single-party Communist rule, becoming the Soviet Union's (USSR) most trusted satellite state and even applying to join the USSR. The peaceful transition to democracy began in 1989, with the first democratic elections in 1990. Unlike its neighbors, weak opposition to the communist regime allowed communist officials to dominate 1990s politics. In 2001, former King Simeon II's election as Prime Minister marked the rise of populism and personalism, shifting political debates towards nationalism versus European integration. The far-right, some of whom advocated against minorities and in favour of a more monoethnic society, withdrawal from NATO, and opposition to adopting the Euro, achieved an electoral breakthrough in the 2023 parliamentary elections and maintained the same voter support in the 2024 elections, further underscoring this political shift. Nationalist political rhetoric in Bulgaria has enflamed relations with North Macedonia due to disputes on shared history and language and reopened questions regarding Russian influence.
Further corroding Bulgarians’ political discourse is the endemic presence of corruption. In 2023, Bulgaria had the second highest levels of perceived corruption in the EU, according to Transparency International. While there are some prospects for recovery (for example, Ivan Geshev, a controversial chief prosecutor, was removed from office in 2023, and reforms were implemented to help ensure effective criminal investigations), these are tempered by frequent political upheaval and entrenched interests.
Bulgaria’s performance on Gender Equality has been consistently high for the past few decades, bolstered by the Law on Equality between Women and Men in 2016. Still, sexism and violence against women (and domestic violence) remain persistent, though 2023 amendments to the criminal code, which expanded domestic violence law to apply beyond married couples, could lead to positive changes. Recently, transgender people were banned from legally changing their gender and the Parliament approved an amendment banning LGBTQIA+ “propaganda” in schools. The Council of Europe identified the LGBTQIA+ community and the Roma as primary targets of hate speech and prejudice in Bulgaria. The Roma, constituting the second largest minority group (4.4 per cent), face widespread poverty and discrimination, especially in education and housing.
A rapidly declining population due to high emigration and low birth rates, a healthcare system plagued by crises, and one of the highest levels of poverty and social exclusion in the EU may persist as structural challenges. These could impact Rights, particularly Basic Welfare, Social Group Equality and Economic Equality. Addressing these issues has proven difficult, exacerbated by political instability. Looking ahead, particular attention must be given to the Effective Parliament and Rule of Law, with a special focus on Absence of Corruption and Judicial Independence.
Last Updated: September 2024
https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/
January 2025
Rights groups allege police blocked the rescue of teenage migrants
Two rights organizations released a report containing evidence—including photos, geolocation data, and testimonies—alleging that the authorities ignored emergency calls and obstructed efforts to rescue three Egyptian teenage boys who later died of hypothermia near the Bulgarian-Turkish border. Civil society group members claim that, despite providing the GPS coordinates of the teenagers, authorities failed to assist them. Activists were reportedly blocked by border police from reaching the location and were only able to access the area the following day when they discovered the bodies at the same coordinates they had previously shared. The border police denied the allegations, stating that the alerts contained incorrect information and that the bodies were found in different locations than those initially reported. Bulgaria has faced scrutiny over violence and pushbacks before, but this case shows the failure to provide aid and obstruction of rescue efforts, despite rights groups' involvement.
Sources: No Name Kitchen & Collettivo Rotte Balcaniche, The Guardian, Al Jazeera, Human Rights Watch
December 2024
Bulgaria joins the Schengen area
On 12 December, the European Council confirmed Bulgaria’s full admission to the Schengen visa-free travel area, effective 1 January 2025, ending most border controls for intra-Schengen travel. This is expected to facilitate foreign travel for Bulgarian citizens and enhance travel, trade, and tourism. In March 2024, Bulgaria was partially admitted to the Schengen area when internal air and sea border controls were lifted. The European Commission first confirmed that Bulgaria had met the technical criteria for Schengen membership in 2011, but its accession was long opposed by Austria and the Netherlands. A 2023 EU fact-finding mission reconfirmed Bulgaria’s readiness for accession, and lauded significant progress in border management and cooperation, migration control, and security measures. The mission report also highlighted strong cooperation with neighbouring countries and with Frontex, Europol and other EU authorities, as well as anti-corruption measures within law enforcement.
Sources: Council of the EU (1), Council of the EU (1), European Commission, Dnevnik, Balkan Insight
October 2024
Bulgaria holds seventh parliamentary election since 2021
On 27 October, snap parliamentary elections were held for the 240-seat Parliament, after June’s elections failed to produce a governing coalition. The incumbent centre-right Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria-Union of Democratic Forces (GERB-UDF) received a vote share of 26.39 per cent (69 seats). The centrist coalition, We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria (PP-DB) secured 14.20 per cent of the vote (37 seats), while the ultranationalist Revival party received a vote share of 13.36 per cent (35 seats). No party gained the 121 seats needed for a majority. Voter turnout stood at 38.94 per cent, up from 34.41 per cent in the June elections. PACE observers noted that the elections were competitive and well-managed, but the low voter turnout highlighted a lack of trust in the political leadership. However, reports of vote buying sparked large protests.
Sources: Central Election Commission, Council of Europe, Euronews, International IDEA (1), International IDEA (2), Politico, Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty
August 2024
Parliament approves amendment banning LGBTQIA+ “propaganda” in schools
On 7 August, Parliament approved an amendment to the Law on Pre-School and School Education, banning the "promotion or encouragement, directly or indirectly, of ideas related to nontraditional sexual orientation or gender identity different from biological sex." The amendment, which is expected to impact the educational process and classroom discussions, was proposed by the Revival party and was supported by the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) and the centre-right Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) party. The amendment lacks clear penalties and definitions of which “ideas and views” are unlawful. Rights groups condemned the law, comparing it to Russia's LGBTQIA+ propaganda law and calling it an attack on equality and children's rights. Despite a petition from over 6,000 people and 70 organizations urging a veto, President Rumen Radev signed the amendment into law on 15 August. Protests followed in Sofia, with around 2,000 opposing the law, including MPs, and about 500 in support, demanding stricter measures.
Sources: Bulgarian Parliament, Balkan Insight (1), Balkan Insight (2), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Politico, Euronews, ILGA-Europe
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