One foot out: Understanding Bulgaria’s geopolitical shift under Radev
Rumen Radev is steering Bulgaria towards a more transactional foreign policy. The EU needs to engage with Sofia and push back on such hedging to secure future European cohesion
Bulgaria
Radev’s way: What Europe can expect from Bulgaria’s new political constellation
Bulgarians have overwhelmingly voted for Rumen Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria party to take power. Radev has espoused the benefits of EU membership, but Europeans should be wary of his pro-Russia rhetoric
Bulgaria’s election and what it means for Europe
Pro-Russian Rumen Radev and his new political party have won a majority in Bulgaria’s parliamentary election. As prime minister, he will probably sound like Viktor Orban when it comes to foreign policy but act more like Robert Fico
On Sofia’s streets: How protests are highlighting an Orbanist turn in Bulgaria
Bulgarians have turned out in their thousands to protest against the government. The EU needs to address the country’s democratic backsliding and avoid it becoming part of Viktor Orban’s camp
The decay within: Why the EU needs to help defend Bulgaria’s democracy
Bulgaria celebrated its entry into the euro zone this month, but inside the country, opposition figures are being arrested and its judiciary is crumbling. This democratic backsliding risks undermining the EU from within
Democratic decay in Bulgaria
Mark Leonard welcomes Vessela Tcherneva and Maria Simeonova, to discuss the deteriorating political situation in Bulgaria
Fool me thrice: The pattern of political instability in Bulgaria, Georgia, and Moldova
Bulgaria’s latest election is part of a regional pattern of voting irregularities, Russian disinformation, and the rise of anti-system parties, pressuring the EU’s efforts to protect democracy in its eastern neighborhood
Hanging in the balance: How to save Bulgaria’s foreign policy from political turmoil
Facing its sixth election in three years, Bulgaria’s political instability risks marginalising Sofia’s role within the EU. To avoid this, the campaigns of pro-European politicians in the country must not lose sight of Bulgaria’s international position
Cautious optimism: What Bulgaria’s new government means for Europe
After a year of interim governments, Bulgaria’s new administration has halted Bulgaria’s march to illiberalism and provided some hope for the region
The future of European politics
Mark Leonard welcomes the heads of ECFR’s national offices to discuss key players outside the traditional halls of European power
Publications
Let a thousand contacts bloom: How China competes for influence in Bulgaria
China is expanding its presence in Bulgaria through a strategy of engagement with state and non-state actors. This has concerning implications in areas such as technology transfer, critical infrastructure, and public procurement
Articles
One foot out: Understanding Bulgaria’s geopolitical shift under Radev
Rumen Radev is steering Bulgaria towards a more transactional foreign policy. The EU needs to engage with Sofia and push back on such hedging to secure future European cohesion
Radev’s way: What Europe can expect from Bulgaria’s new political constellation
Bulgarians have overwhelmingly voted for Rumen Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria party to take power. Radev has espoused the benefits of EU membership, but Europeans should be wary of his pro-Russia rhetoric
Bulgaria’s election and what it means for Europe
Pro-Russian Rumen Radev and his new political party have won a majority in Bulgaria’s parliamentary election. As prime minister, he will probably sound like Viktor Orban when it comes to foreign policy but act more like Robert Fico
On Sofia’s streets: How protests are highlighting an Orbanist turn in Bulgaria
Bulgarians have turned out in their thousands to protest against the government. The EU needs to address the country’s democratic backsliding and avoid it becoming part of Viktor Orban’s camp
The decay within: Why the EU needs to help defend Bulgaria’s democracy
Bulgaria celebrated its entry into the euro zone this month, but inside the country, opposition figures are being arrested and its judiciary is crumbling. This democratic backsliding risks undermining the EU from within
Fool me thrice: The pattern of political instability in Bulgaria, Georgia, and Moldova
Bulgaria’s latest election is part of a regional pattern of voting irregularities, Russian disinformation, and the rise of anti-system parties, pressuring the EU’s efforts to protect democracy in its eastern neighborhood
Hanging in the balance: How to save Bulgaria’s foreign policy from political turmoil
Facing its sixth election in three years, Bulgaria’s political instability risks marginalising Sofia’s role within the EU. To avoid this, the campaigns of pro-European politicians in the country must not lose sight of Bulgaria’s international position
Cautious optimism: What Bulgaria’s new government means for Europe
After a year of interim governments, Bulgaria’s new administration has halted Bulgaria’s march to illiberalism and provided some hope for the region
Easy prey? Russia’s influence in Bulgaria
Newly released investigations have shed light on how corruption and the weak rule of law in Bulgaria enable Russian influence to thrive
From 5G hardware to apps and data: How Huawei has adapted to survive
Huawei’s new approach is allowing the company to secure positions at the very core of the future data economy
Podcasts
Democratic decay in Bulgaria
Mark Leonard welcomes Vessela Tcherneva and Maria Simeonova, to discuss the deteriorating political situation in Bulgaria
The future of European politics
Mark Leonard welcomes the heads of ECFR’s national offices to discuss key players outside the traditional halls of European power
Events
8
Nov
The role of Germany in Europe in times of war: Potential for German-Bulgarian cooperation
We will discuss Germany’s role in Europe and will reflect on how the new European order is viewed in Berlin
4
Nov
Позицията на България във външната политика на ЕС: Какво мислят кандидатите?
По повод предстоящите избори, които ще се проведат на 14 ноември, софийският офис на Европейския съвет за външна политика (ЕСВП) организира виртуална публична дискусия с участието на представители от политическите партии. Целта на публичната дискусия е да намери пресечни точки във външнополитическия дебат. Събитието ще се проведе в онлайн платформата Zoom и ще…
In the media
Maria Simeonova on Rumen Radev’s victory in the parliamentary elections and new political scenarios