Protests across #Bulgaria for a week. This is the first mass wave of protests in 7 years. There is a lot to explain to the foreign observer, but the most important thing is that people are extremely disgusted by the corruption and Orban-style government.
There are different groups in the protests. There is no clear leadership, but the protests began after an action by the democratic Yes, Bulgaria against luxury properties of State Security-related politician Ahmed Dogan and his circle.
Dogan's party is in coalition with the Nationalists and Borisov's party. They tried to threaten ethnic violence if the protests continued. These threats are no longer working and protests continue against the oligarchs who support the government.
👉 For Dogan and Borisov, and events around them, follow @DimitarBechev.
There are several circles of interests in Bulgaria. Including: Russia, US, Turkey, Germany. The EU supports Borissov, despite all signs of power and EU funds abuse. Both in 2013 and today, the protesters called on the EU to stop supporting the Borisov government.
In addition to external factors, there are multifaceted internal dynamics. There is a strong mafia in Bulgaria operating on international level. The mafia operates freely and there are doubts about ties to politicians.
Mafia circles are linked to people from the former Bulgarian Communist Party. These people still have an influence on today's politics. They are often present in both the government and the opposition.
There are strong ties between businessmen in Bulgaria and players abroad: for example in Algeria, Libya, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Russia. In recent years, we have revealed several such links. Unfortunately, Western politicians preferred to stay quiet.
You can imagine in such a situation how public funds are used. Bulgaria has an important geographical location and a controversial history. Now, the government is trying to cover up the problems with boasting about the results achieved and how big is the support from Brussels.
As I said, there are many nuances about the local situation. There is a deep state, but of a different meaning than in Turkey or the US. There are similarities with the Russian model, but not in every aspect. There is a Balkan model, but not like that of Vucic.
One of the good English articles at the moment is by @POLITICOEurope: politico.eu/article/bulgar…
This is another good addition by Politico on the current crisis in Bulgaria:
politico.eu/article/bulgar…
politico.eu/article/bulgar…
I prefer to be skeptical about the support for the protests expressed by Washington. The US, like other Western powers, has no interest in change in Sofia right now. Bad for the protesters, Russia has such an interest and it is being used by government propaganda.
Pro-Russian political groups are currently trying to steal the protest. People differentiate from them, but if there is an escalation, I'm not sure what the outcome will be.
Oligarchs are also trying to steal the protest movement. People like Vasil Bozhkov, who is currently in the Emirates and have 18 charges in Bulgaria, including for crimes against the republic. As I mentioned in previous tweets, there are several oligarchic-political camps.
The Socialist Party is trying to bring President Radev as the leader of the protests (he has a personal confrontation with the premier). They are also trying to infiltrate the protests with MPs that can be seen on the streets. However, people have a strong distrust of them.
Pro-Russian ultranationalists are also present at protests across the country. Their Facebook pages broadcast live from the demonstrations, and their members wore party T-shirts. They have been organizing small protests for months and now they see an opportunity.
So, this thread is just about the tip of the iceberg. We can write more and we have to write to show what is happening in Bulgaria and the area. For most outside observers, the country does not exist on the political map, which, as I often say, is a big mistake.
While I write mostly about the Middle East, Syria and conflicts, I'm based in Bulgaria. I've written about the connections between the Bulgarian elite and the Middle East, in particular the Syrian one. The problems are the same whether in the Balkans or elsewhere.
Update: for the first time, protests held even in smaller cities. No longer only for the 3 biggest cities in Bulgaria which is an important development. The government has a big problem.
Bulgarians protest corruption and demand their government's resignation. Over the past decade, the percentage of Bulgarians who see corruption as widespread has never dropped lower than 75%. In the most recent survey in 2019, 77% of Bulgarians said corruption was widespread. 
A good additional comment by @DimitarBechev on the current Bulgarian protests and the EU policy.
A sharp but deserved remark: "EU’s rule of law mechanisms have failed. It’s up to citizens to hold the elite to account." politico.eu/article/the-be…
A sharp but deserved remark: "EU’s rule of law mechanisms have failed. It’s up to citizens to hold the elite to account." politico.eu/article/the-be…
