"It's not easy to make a living these days. To spend weeks explaining how Putin paid you a 1,500 euro ticket to go to Moscow… and finally, you want to ban political activity for persons who received BGN 1000 funding from other countries?! Will they self-exclude from Revival? Maybe that way they would really solve at least one real problem of Bulgaria".
This is what Lena Borislavova wrote on her Facebook profile.
Here is the full text of the post:
Position of the PP-DB: We are categorically against the Putin bill of “Revival“ about “foreign agents”
Main reasons for our disagreement:
Malignant influence on Bulgarian society such as: Threat to science and culture: The activity of Bulgarian community centers, scientific and cultural communities and institutions is at risk.
Restriction of educational opportunities: Bulgarian students with scholarships from abroad are proposed to be declared as “foreign agents”.
Obstruction of civil society: The draft law is directed against civil organizations, which after 1990 did a great deal for Bulgaria to strengthen and preserve Bulgarian history and culture, and to reduce social inequalities in Bulgarian society.
A ban on teaching and scientific activity is proposed.
Participation in the political process is prohibited for individuals and organizations that have received over BGN 1,000 from foreign sources.
Violates the constitutional rights of citizens
The bill provides for the withdrawal of civil rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria.
Contradicts EU law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.
Copy oppressive practices
The text is almost identical to a similar law in Russia used by the Putin regime to limit free speech and independent journalism.
Putin is exporting this law to various countries and last year he managed to block Georgia's path to Europe with such a law.
Threatens the independence of Bulgaria
It is inadmissible for countries that have declared Bulgaria hostile to set the agenda for our country.
We support the need for transparency and accountability in external funding. However, this should not be used as a pretext for limiting basic democratic principles and the freedom of civil society.