Bulgaria: Campaigning through state institutions is incompatible with democracy
Two days before Sunday’s presidential run-off, Liberals and Democrats are deeply concerned by the Bulgarian government’s use of state institutions to campaign for one of the candidates. Bulgarian citizens deserve free and fair elections. The current government’s attempts to exert political influence are deeply concerning and run counter to European values. Liberals and Democrats call for lawful and fair campaign rules, a fair electoral process and respect for the fundamental rights of all Bulgarians.
The day after the first round, Prime Minister Rumen Radev called on Bulgarian citizens to vote for President Iliana Iotova. The government’s official press office, website and social media channels then published his appeal. The Central Election Commission dismissed a complaint against it by just eight votes to seven, and the decision has been appealed to the Supreme Administrative Court. The government then deleted the posts in a sarcastic statement mocking the complainants.
This is not a matter of political preference. It is about the line between party and state, the equal treatment of candidates, and trust in the electoral process. State institutions belong to all citizens, not to one party or candidate. A taxpayer-funded government press office is a public service, not a campaign tool. Mocking those who raise legitimate concerns does nothing to build trust in the vote.
“We expect Bulgaria to get straight back on the democratic path, and the stakes could not be higher. Just two days ago, yet another container ship was struck by a sea drone off the Bulgarian coast, the latest in a series of attacks in the Black Sea that threaten the security of Bulgaria and the whole European Union. At such a moment, Bulgarians need government institutions they can trust and an election whose fairness is beyond doubt. Bulgarians have shown many times their commitment to Europe, and their institutions must guarantee their fundamental right to choose freely.”
Valérie Hayer, President of the Renew Europe Group
Liberals and Democrats are fighting, and will keep fighting, for democratic institutions, the rule of law and equal rights.
