Austrian Newspaper Warns: Pro-Russian Party 'Revival' Could Gain Ground in Bulgarian Elections

According to the Austrian newspaper Der Standard, the pro-Russian party "Revival" (Vazrazhdane) has the potential to become the second-largest political force in Bulgaria following the upcoming elections on October 27. This shift could pave the way for closer ties with Russia. The upcoming elections mark the seventh in three years for Bulgaria, driven by a pattern of governments either failing to form or lasting very briefly. The ruling party, GERB, leads in the polls but struggles to secure coalition partners due to corruption allegations that deter reform-oriented pro-European parties. Other political factions are either aligned with the Kremlin or also tainted by corruption. In this context, President Rumen Radev, known for his pro-Kremlin stance, remains a stable figure.

This political instability appears to benefit the Kremlin, which may explain the rising support for "Revival." Polls suggest the party could emerge as a significant player in the October 27 elections. Ruslan Stefanov from the Center for the Study of Democracy noted that Russian influence has heavily shaped public sentiment in Bulgaria. He pointed out that when Vladimir Putin issues threats directed at Bulgaria, it emboldens domestic forces advocating for closer relations with Russia.

Stefanov traced this historical influence back to the 19th century, emphasizing that the Soviet era solidified a favorable view of Russia among many Bulgarians. The article, written by Adelheid Wolfl, also highlights the role of the newly elected Patriarch Daniil as a prominent figure in pro-Kremlin propaganda. Archimandrite Nicanor described his election as resembling "a KGB textbook operation."

Furthermore, Der Standard criticized Bulgaria's inconsistent...