Comment by Alexander Detev:
In 2013, the Oresharski government did not fall despite large-scale protests and the hashtag "WHO?", which toured the media all over the world. In 2020, Borisov betrayed himself and did not resign despite thousands on the streets of Sofia and major cities. But now it's different. Now civil society in Bulgaria achieved a historic victory with the fall of the "Zhelyazkov" cabinet.
"We have never seen anything like this"
A victory led by the indescribable energy of the young, but also a victory of the bravest. For example, this representative of the Roma community, who yesterday in the square said: "For 30 years Delyan Peevski and Boyko Borisov have been buying my family like tomatoes in the market". A victory for the Bulgarian Turks, who shouted in Peevski's face: "You are not my brother". A victory for the people in Kardzhali, who dared to protest. To those in Stara Zagora, Burgas, Smolyan… To all those who felt empowered and risked their jobs, their security, to say that this cannot go on.
"We have never seen anything like this", fellow journalists commented yesterday in the square. The scale of the discontent crossed the borders between large cities and subordinate party bastions in smaller ones, between ethnicities, between ideologies and understandings of geopolitics.
Don't stop, lest it fall on us
No one contributed more to the massification of the protests than "DPS-New Beginning". The arrogant and repulsive behavior of Bayram Bayram and Yordan Tsonev brought thousands to the squares. The "counter-protests", which showed what a feudal system our fellow citizens live in, mobilized even more people. And the assessment of Delyan Peevski is perhaps the closest we have to unanimity.
But let's not forget the people from the counter-protests. As Vesselina Sedlarska wrote: "Poor people! I looked at their impenetrable faces, as if they were saying: Don't shoot at us, we are the hostages".
Yes, they are hostages. And yes, in the next elections they will be called up to vote again, as the Master has ordered. Because otherwise they will be left without work, without firewood, without a livelihood.
Don't forget the judicial system. Borislav Sarafov continues to be the chief prosecutor, and the Bulgarian court and prosecutor's office are still corrupted by serious addictions. Martin Bozanov-Notary is dead, Pepi Euroto is in limbo, but their heirs are still roaming the shadows and pulling the strings.
Don't forget the controlled institutions, regulators, and judicial bodies. People work there who have already been taught that in order to survive, they must perform without complaint. And leave their conscience at the door.
"Whoever doesn't jump is fat"
Disappointment is the most painful feeling. In order not to be disappointed, you shouldn't stop. Mobilize. Insist on a government that guarantees fair elections. Volunteer. Tell your friends to vote. Convince them. Talk to your grandmother if you think she will habitually make the wrong choice. Keep a close eye on all politicians, including those who promise you that they are on your side. Be ruthless if they start lying to you. Politicize.
Toppling a government is very cool. But making your country truly democratic, legal and clean is top notch. Don't stop jumping.