Bulgaria’s Political Shift: A New Era for Conservative Policies
For the first time in nearly two decades, Bulgaria’s political landscape is undergoing a seismic shift. The formation of the Zhelyazkov cabinet marks a historic departure from the long-standing alliance between GERB and the urban liberal factions. According to renowned political scientist Kristijan Shkvarek, this advancement signals the end of the urban liberals’ “subscription to power” and opens the door for conservative policies to take center stage.
A Break from Tradition
Since its establishment, GERB has relied on the support of urban liberals to maintain its political dominance. Though, the 2017 split of the democratic community into three factions forced Borisov to seek alternative partners, such as the United Patriots. Now, for the first time, GERB has formed a cabinet without the participation of urban liberals, breaking a 19-year-old rule.
Shkvarek attributes this shift to the global political climate, particularly the influence of Donald Trump’s victory in the United States. “Rest assured that if Kamala Harris had won, this cabinet would not have happened today,” he stated. This change reflects a broader trend of conservative and anti-liberal administrations gaining ground across Europe and beyond.
The Conservative Agenda
While the exclusion of urban liberals is a significant milestone, Shkvarek cautions against unconditional support for the new cabinet.“Our support should be based solely on implemented policies and specific goals,” he emphasized. The Zhelyazkov cabinet must deliver on three critical fronts to earn the backing of conservative Bulgarians:
- Combating Greenism: the cabinet must take decisive measures to limit the impact of green policies on Bulgaria’s energy sector and economic development. “Decarbonization should remain a word that generates only laughter, not policies, taxes, suspended infrastructure, and closed enterprises,” Shkvarek asserted.
- Securing Borders: Addressing mass migration and deporting individuals forming an Afghan ghetto in Sofia is a top priority. The cabinet must act decisively, nonetheless of criticism from NGOs, Brussels, or media outlets like Dnevnik.
- Demographic Strategy: Bulgaria faces a demographic crisis as one of the fastest-shrinking nations globally. The cabinet must implement a thorough strategy to reverse this trend.
A Call for Accountability
Shkvarek stresses that conservative support must be conditional and withdrawn at the first sign of progressive policies. “We, being realists, are fully aware that there are no ‘good’ ones. Everyone is flawed, and in everyone, you can find something good,” he noted. This pragmatic approach contrasts sharply wiht the urban liberals’ unwavering support for their own, regardless of policy outcomes.
The Road Ahead
The Zhelyazkov cabinet now has a unique opportunity to implement long-awaited conservative policies. With the global liberal order waning and right-wing administrations rising, the cabinet can no longer use external pressures as an excuse for inaction.“Demonstrate with swift and decisive conservative policies that you are different from those you left out of office,” Shkvarek urged.
Failure to deliver on these priorities could spell the end for the cabinet.“The cabinet must break with greenism, clear the Afghan ghetto from Sofia, and take measures against the demographic catastrophe. Or you go too,” Shkvarek concluded.
Key Points at a Glance
| Priority | Action Required |
|—————————-|————————————————————————————-|
| Greenism | Limit policies that harm energy and economic development; reject decarbonization. |
| Border Security | Stop mass migration; deport individuals forming ghettos in Sofia. |
| Demographic Strategy | Develop and implement a plan to reverse Bulgaria’s population decline.|
For more insights into Bulgaria’s evolving political landscape, explore the latest updates on world today news.
The Zhelyazkov cabinet stands at a crossroads. Its success will depend on its ability to deliver tangible results and uphold conservative values in a rapidly changing world.
