Bulgaria’s new government pledges loyalty to European consensus

The new government in Sofia led by the new PM Rumen Radev has made its first pro-European overture, pledging not to work against the European consensus, although there are signs of caution aimed at preserving the support of the pro-Russian electorate that backed the former president.

“Bulgaria will be a reliable partner working for the unity of the EU,” Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova-Chamova told Bulgarian journalists in Brussels, where EU foreign ministers were meeting.

“We believe that a strong Europe is good for Bulgaria, but Bulgaria must find its own active role within the European Union, rather than simply being a country that follows,” she added.

This talking point was the official campaign line of Radev’s coalition, Progressive Bulgaria, which secured a parliamentary majority and formed Bulgaria’s first government in nearly 30 years with a comfortable political mandate. It remains unclear, however, how Radev interprets Bulgaria’s “active role” in the EU and whether this will prove constructive in practice.

This political formula clearly aims to communicate to the Eurosceptic electorate that Radev does not behave like a “yes man” in Brussels. Even as president, he maintained two narratives – one in the EU Council, where Bulgaria did not create problems during the rule of his caretaker governments, and another, more Eurosceptic narrative, in Sofia.

Since the elections most signals from Sofia have been positive for keeping pro-EU line after Petar Vitanov, leader of the Progressive Bulgaria parliamentary group, announced that the coalition would not revoke Bulgaria’s bilateral security agreement with Ukraine.

During his presidency, Radev was among the fiercest critics of military aid to Ukraine and frequently labelled his domestic opponents “warmongers”.

“We will not be a destructive partner that merely sets conditions and contributes to the erosion of European unity. At the same time, we will make Bulgaria’s national interest clear,” the foreign minister said.

Against this backdrop, PM Rumen Radev has accepted an invitation from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to make his first official visit to Germany.

Asked what message Bulgaria intended to send through the visit, Petrova-Chamova replied: “It is a clear reaffirmation of a strong European position and of working within the Union. We want to see the Union becoming ever stronger.”

Advice to Skopje to move faster

On Bulgaria’s veto blocking the formal opening of EU accession negotiations with North Macedonia, Petrova-Chamova said she had already held “a very good first meeting” with North Macedonian Foreign Minister Timčo Mucunski.

Bulgaria reiterated its position that the veto will remain in place unless Skopje includes the Bulgarian minority in the country’s constitution.

“That position was reaffirmed again today. I am pleased that there is a very broad political consensus on this issue in Bulgaria. I conveyed this to our North Macedonian partners as well. We expect actions from their side demonstrating that they have the full political will to move forward on their European path,” she said.

Bulgaria also reminded North Macedonia that neighbouring countries such as Montenegro and Albania are making significant progress towards EU membership and that the current enlargement window may remain open only for the next few years.

“If they fail to seize this opportunity, they could genuinely lose out. They should adhere to the agreement reached in 2022 and take the necessary political steps to open their own European path,” Petrova-Chamova added.

Caption: Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova-Chamova is in Brussels to attend a meeting of foreign ministers from the member states of the European Union. Earlier in the day, an informal working breakfast was also held with representatives of the Western Balkan countries, BGNES