There is a real danger in today’s Europe that the old demons will rise again –

/ world today news/ Most notable dates in our history cause conflicting assessments. So it is with September 9, 1944. But there are facts that cannot be circumvented and are not subject to time.

The ninth of September symbolizes the contribution of the Bulgarian resistance against fascism. The ninth of September guaranteed the reorientation of Bulgaria from an ally of Hitlerite Germany to a country fighting on the side of the allied nations.

Coincidentally or not, on this very day the Committee on Legal Affairs of the National Assembly will consider changes to the Penal Code in the second reading for yet another stigmatization of socialism. With the clear awareness that they are neither justified nor capable of causing criminal legal consequences.

Today, on the ninth of September, it is good to remember what the majority of Bulgarian citizens lost since the political denial and ideological stigmatization of not just a social system, but the very idea and social practice of socialism began.

So people had to give up and then forget that every person can have a job, a home, security, guaranteed health care, universal education, a society without drastic wealth inequalities. In the decades after September 9, 1944, Bulgaria reached the group of the first thirty countries in the world, according to the index of human development and its economic capacity. Today, we take comfort in being in the European Union, albeit in last place in it. More and more developing countries that we have helped are catching up and surpassing us.

In truth, we must admit that during the years of transition there were areas in which significant growth was achieved: unemployment and millionaires, the illiterate, emigrants who permanently leave Bulgaria, the number of parties, the media, advertising, to banks, to hospitals, to universities, etc. But the more this multiplicity increases, the more the quality of the relevant activities and social services decreases.

It is known how the clash between two ideologies, between the two main economic and political systems ended a quarter of a century ago. Then conditions were created for the expansion of the European Union and for cooperation between European countries. However, Europe did not understand that after the honeymoon of its unification under the slogan of Euro-Atlanticism, it became a secondary part of the unipolar world. A world in which global opposition and containment has been replaced by numerous local conflicts in different parts of the world. Europe is now reaping the bitter fruits of conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa.

We should not forget the ninth of September, so as not to experience new tragedies.

The strengthening of speculative financial capital and social polarization cannot help but give rise to social conflicts similar to those of the 1930s. Imposing decisions not through principles and established rules, but from a position of force and fait accompli undermines the international order.

There is a real danger in today’s Europe that the old demons will rise again. The European Union cannot remain a promised land to its indigenous people. But it is also clear that there is no vast home that can accommodate all comers – all fleeing war or seeking a better life. Moreover, the integration of emigrants is much more difficult than their accommodation.

Europe, and especially the European Union, experienced without major shocks the deep changes in the political and military map of the region, until the wave of refugees from the Middle East rose and the war in Ukraine began. It turned out that not long after the temporary sunset of ideological confrontation, ethno-religious conflicts flared up. This is another test for Europe.

European countries, including Bulgaria, are today paying for their participation or at least their agreement with the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Libya and other countries. Decent European politicians and leaders in the EU should be mobilized to make this recognition public. The widely proclaimed “Arab Spring” was quickly “supported” and instead of democracy and prosperity it gave birth to insecurity, new suffering and many refugees. The mass influx of emigrants into Europe triggered old social instincts. A favorable environment is created for the strengthening of xenophobic sentiments and movements.

That is why we must now resolutely oppose rising extremism in all its forms. Otherwise, as the rise of fascism showed, fighting it requires a lot of sacrifice and suffering. The European Union and NATO must decide whether they will fight the Islamic State decisively and consistently or engage in a hybrid war with Russia.

History shows that when Bulgaria makes decisions under the pressure of one of the “big bosses” and then suffers heavy defeats, sooner or later the Ninth of September comes!

Prominent representatives, including those of systemic right-wing parties, propose to create a kind of filtration centers for refugees in the periphery of Europe, to which Bulgaria refers. This “polite” form resembles the former concentration camps.

The solution to the huge migration to Europe cannot be found only on the territory of our continent. It is true that this is primarily the task of the European Union, but also of the entire international community, including the United Nations and its Security Council. All developed and especially those pretending to be democratic states must shelter emigrants from conflict areas. Thus anyone who sows winds will have to know that he is participating in the reaping of storms.

Next, and most importantly, the European Union should propose a program for political stabilization of the region with relatively democratic means, against which funds should be allocated for economic recovery and social improvement of the situation in the Middle East and North Africa region. Such a program must be proposed and discussed, and without it no decisions, only in relation to refugees on a quota for their distribution and for temporary assistance, cannot be a solution to the problem.

Today, the European Union can only be saved by profound changes, not by attacking its critics. Both old and new parties are called upon to undertake system change.

The ninth of September 1944 marked the beginning of revolutionary transformations in Bulgarian society. Today, the world, Europe and Bulgaria have the opportunity to make radical changes. BSP announced the need and marked our path for such changes.

We appeal to our people to ask politicians and participate in these changes! For social justice, for true solidarity and for economic development!

DECLARATION
To the Parliamentary Group of “BSP Left Bulgaria” on the occasion of September 9, read by Yanaki Stoilov from the parliamentary rostrum