Hristo Ivanov: Cleaning Up Corruption in Bulgaria, Not Stressing People Out

Hristo Ivanov, a leader of the 'We Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria' party, stated that their job is to clean up corruption in Bulgaria, not to stress people out by telling them how bad things are. Ivanov emphasized that this pragmatic approach to tackling corruption is why they were elected.

The 'We Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria' party is part of the new coalition government in Bulgaria, led by Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov. The government was formed after five consecutive parliamentary elections within two years, with the center-right GERB party also backing the coalition. The coalition has a pro-European Union agenda, with obtaining Schengen and Eurozone membership as top priorities, along with fighting Russian influence in the country's security sector.

Why this matters: Bulgaria has been struggling with corruption and the malign influence of Russia, which are often intertwined in the country's politics. The reformist coalition's focus on addressing these issues and pursuing closer ties with the EU could have significant implications for Bulgaria's future direction and stability.

Ivanov's comments suggest a focus on addressing the root causes of corruption and improving governance, rather than simply highlighting the negative aspects of the situation. "Their job is to clean up corruption in Bulgaria, not to stress people out by telling them how bad things are, which is why they were elected," Ivanov stated.

However, challenges remain. The article mentions the killing of Martin Bojanov, a shady figure implicated in property fraud with ties to the judiciary. It also notes the lack of progress in judicial reform due to resistance from the Prosecutor General's Office.

According to the latest poll results, the GERB party remains in the lead with 24.9% support in the upcoming early parliamentary elections. The PP-DB coalition has seen a drop in support, attributed to their agreement to lead a joint government with GERB and DMS, previously the main targets of their anti-corruption rhetoric. Only 49% of Bulgarians say they will vote in the upcoming elections, with a record 6.9% planning to check 'I do not support anyone' on the ballot papers.

Ivanov and the 'We Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria' coalition face the task of delivering on their promises to clean up corruption and improve governance in Bulgaria. Their success in addressing the complex political landscape and tackling the pressing issues of corruption and Russian influence will be crucial for Bulgaria's future stability and European integration.

Key Takeaways

• Reformist coalition in Bulgaria aims to tackle corruption, not just highlight it.
• Coalition has pro-EU agenda, with Schengen and Eurozone membership as priorities.
• Challenges remain, including lack of progress in judicial reform and GERB party's lead.
• Only 49% of Bulgarians plan to vote in upcoming elections, with 6.9% not supporting any party.
• Coalition's success in addressing corruption and Russian influence is crucial for Bulgaria's future.