Bulgaria in chaos: oligarch arrests threaten to endanger euro accession!

Bulgaria in chaos: oligarch arrests threaten to endanger euro accession!

There's a lot going on in Bulgaria. Arrests of people who are fighting against the ongoing corruption in the country are currently increasing. Particular focus is on Deljan Peewski, a powerful oligarch and politician who was sanctioned by the USA for corruption and influence peddling. Critics warn that his influence not only threatens Bulgaria's stability but could also have far-reaching consequences for European security. Welt.de reports that Bulgaria's population is divided into two camps - one that favors deeper EU integration and another that wants closer ties with Russia.

Particularly explosive is the recent arrest of Blagomir Kotsev, the mayor of Varna and a member of the reform-oriented alliance “We are continuing the change”. Kotsev is accused of being part of a criminal group engaged in corruption and money laundering. For the liberal group “Renew Europe”, this arrest is a clear case of political abuse. Critics see this as a tool to suppress opposition politicians and fear that the judiciary will be used as an instrument for political discrediting.

However, substantial reforms remain a challenge in Bulgaria. The political situation is unstable; There have been six elections in the last four years. Prime Minister Kiril Petkov and Finance Minister Assen Vasilev worked on strengthening the rule of law and combating mafia structures as part of their reforms last year, which was very well received by the population. But Petkov himself was not free from conflicts either. He gave Peevsky the title “Servant of Putin,” which refers to the close ties between the oligarch and Russia.

The shadows of the past

The roots of the current situation go back to the post-communist era. With the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Eastern Bloc, Bulgaria experienced an economic and political crisis that paved the way for the emergence of the oligarchy. In the 1990s, informal networks formed that seized the country's political and economic power, a phenomenon known as "state capture." To this day, these circumstances are blocking Bulgaria's development and preventing an effective fight against corruption. Loud Fomoso Bulgaria also has the dubious honor of being the poorest and most corrupt country in the EU.

The protests in the summer of 2013, which were triggered by Peewski's appointment as chairman of the State Agency for National Security, highlighted citizens' dissatisfaction with the corruption-plagued system. But despite the commitment to reforms and the fight against corruption, the road still seems to be rocky. An example of this is the recent parliamentary elections that took place this year and were marred by unrest and political manipulation.

A look into the future

With the impending entry into the Eurozone in January 2024, Bulgaria faces crucial times. However, the question remains whether the country can overcome its internal difficulties to meet the required standards. Many Bulgarians are concerned about political developments and are waiting for their voices to be heard in the political process. Peewski, who is expanding his position within his political camp, is seen as a key obstacle to actually implementing the urgently needed reforms. The picture that emerges is one of deep tensions and uncertainties.

May the European community pay attention to developments in Bulgaria - because they could not only affect the future of the country, but also affect stability in the entire region. RFE/RL notes that the growing political crisis and the refusal to implement fundamental reforms are alarming for all parties involved.