Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Former US ambassador James Pardew: Bulgaria has passed the point of no return

James Pardew, Former US Ambassador to Bulgaria (2002-2005)
Photo: BGNES

In an article published in the Politico, former US ambassador to Bulgaria James Pardew writes that "Boyko Borissov, the populist leader of Bulgaria, is facing a popular revolt that will not go away". According to the author of the publication, Bulgaria and Borissov have passed the point of no return.

"It is high time that Europe makes it clear that it stands by the people of Bulgaria and their plea for real democracy, and takes concrete steps to help them achieve that goal," writes James Pardew, US ambassador to Bulgaria in the period 2002-2005. 

Pardew emphasizes that "Borissov created a system with many of the hallmarks of a one-party state. He has effectively destroyed the country’s political opposition through the widespread use of intimidation, local corruption and alleged vote-buying on a massive level in communities".  

The author also defines power in Bulgaria as a softer version of that of Vladimir Putin. "Borissov and his political apparatus can be characterized as “Putin-light,” employing the same tactics as the Russian strongman but in a slightly less heavy-handed manner. Although Borissov likes to present himself as a populist, his methods are authoritarian", Pardew argues.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

The chances of electing a Speaker of the 51st National Assembly are minimal

The members of Parliament are rather skeptical before yet another attempt to elect a National Assembly Speaker. The candidates for Speaker of the National Assembly are Raya Nazaryan from GERB-SDS, Natalia Kiselova from BSP-United Left, Petar Petrov..

updated on 11/27/24 1:17 PM

European Parliament will again call for the entry of Bulgaria and Romania by land into Schengen

At today's session of MEPs  opening in Strasbourg, the European Parliament will again call for full membership of Bulgaria and Romania in Schengen . The agenda announcement makes clear that the EP will discuss the issue together with the European..

published on 11/26/24 7:05 AM
From left to right: Assen Vassilev, Bozhidar Bozhanov, Kiril Petkov, and Atanas Atanasov of the PP-DB coalition in the National Assembly, 12 November 2024. (Illustrative photo)

PP-DB open to talks with GERB

The coalition We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria (PP-DB) , which came second in the October 27 parliamentary elections, has accepted an invitation for negotiations from the first political force - GERB-SDS.  GERB leader Boyko Borissov offers..

published on 11/23/24 4:37 PM