The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) speaks of "worrying development of political interference in the judicial system" in Bulgaria in recent months. Maria Ilcheva spoke with ALDE Secretary General Dierick de Schetzen.
It seems that Kotsev has done his job well
You are aware of the pressure against "We continue the change" (PP), the latest example of which is the arrest of Blagomir Kotsev, mayor of Varna. Why is this happening? What are your goals?
Didrik de Schetzen: We are very aware of the pressure that is being put on "Continuing Change", its leadership and its elected officials. Earlier this week, the ALDE chairman requested a meeting with the European Commissioner for Justice to express our concerns to him, and our representatives in the European Parliament (EP) and the Committee of the Regions also came forward with their opinions.
In the 2023 local elections, the citizens of Varna voted for change and for a candidate with a reformist vision who wants to "return Varna to the people of Varna", to make politics more transparent and effective. And it seems that he has done his job well.
The Bulgarian Anti-Corruption Fund (ACF) has registered an increase in the number of proceedings against members of the opposition since the new government took office in 2024. The prosecutor's office has been active in corruption investigations, but for the most part they have been directed against opponents of Delyan Peevski," the NGO's report says. Do you think that Kotsev's arrest is a political attack by Delyan Peevski, whose party MPS was a member of ALDE until a few months ago?
Didrik de Schetzen: I hope not, but it is difficult to avoid this impression. As for ALDE, we take the fight against corruption and the protection of the rule of law seriously, and therefore a party led by a person sanctioned by the UK and the US under the "Magnitsky" law for corruption, bribery and embezzlement clearly had no place in our family. That is why in December we immediately took action to exclude the MRF.
The place of the opposition is not in prison
Dian Ivanov, the main witness in the case against the mayor of Varna, Blagomir Kotsev, withdrew his testimony because it was given under pressure. And this is happening in an EU member state. Anti-corruption activists are already talking about conditions like those in the dictatorship in Belarus, where opponents are imprisoned. How would you comment on this?
Didrik de Schetzen: In a democratic country - and in the European Union, which we created and fought for, we resolve our differences through debates. The place of political opponents is in parliament or in the ranks of power, in the positions to which they were elected, so that they can fulfill their democratic duty and hold the government accountable - not to be silenced or imprisoned.
The German newspaper "Die Welt" wrote on the occasion of Kotsev's arrest that, according to critics, this dramatic development in Bulgaria poses a threat to the stability of Europe. Why should all of Europe be concerned?
Diedrik de Schetzen: All of Europe should be concerned, because unfortunately this is becoming a trend on our continent, which European liberals are talking about more and more often. Bulgaria is a member of the European Union and NATO, now finally also of Schengen, and from January 1, 2026 it will also be in the eurozone. European unity in defending our values and addressing the biggest challenges we face today is severely undermined by instability and disunity.
Putin wants a weaker Europe
Bulgaria's population is also deeply divided. Some want deeper integration into the EU, while others traditionally seek closeness to Russia. How dangerous is Russian propaganda in Bulgaria for the EU? There are also more and more people in the European Parliament who are friendly to Russia, and not only from Bulgaria.
Didrik de Schetzen: Bulgaria is facing a very delicate moment in its history. After seven consecutive parliamentary elections in the space of a few years and the apparently low level of trust in politics as a result, the latest Eurobarometer survey actually showed an increase in the number of Bulgarian citizens - almost two-thirds (61%) - who say they recognise the benefits of EU membership. However, this indicator is still the lowest in the Community and more work needs to be done in this regard. But the benefits for the economy and the labor market are recognized and we hope that they will grow even more with the country's accession to the eurozone and the consolidation of its place in the single market.
Putin's interest is to have a weaker Europe. And that is not our interest.
What are the possible scenarios for Bulgaria and what does the country most urgently need right now?
Didrik de Schetzen: We hope that the only scenario for Bulgaria right now is to immediately stop the political persecution of selected members of the opposition and to implement reforms (and more importantly, to see that reforms are being implemented) to protect the rule of law in Bulgaria, to tackle corruption and to start to restore the trust of citizens.
In fact, just two weeks ago, in its report on the rule of law in Bulgaria, the EC noted the lack of progress on structural reforms that are essential to strengthen the independence of the judiciary, the anti-corruption framework and political accountability.
Hopefully Bulgarians will not have to do the same as in Georgia
What would you say to Bulgarians to encourage them? encourage? They have been protesting for days because of the arrest of the mayor of Varna and against the judicial system.
Didrik de Schetzen: Our friends, the citizens in Georgia have been protesting in the streets for more than 200 days now in the name of the values they believe in. They are showing that they are worth fighting for. Five out of the six leaders of the political parties affiliated with us are behind bars and we see almost no improvement in the situation. I sincerely hope that the Bulgarians will not have to do the same - and for so long, but I am convinced that if they believe in the rule of law and these values, they will be ready to do it for as long as necessary. Europe must stand by them, as this is inherent in our EU, and ALDE will do everything possible to support this cause.
Author: Maria Ilcheva