The European Parliament expresses concern over the frequent Russian attempts to interfere in the elections in Bulgaria on June 9. This is written in a resolution on Russian interference in the EU, which will be voted on tomorrow at the last plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg. MEPs are concerned about the existence in our country of a network of disinformation agents controlled by Russia. They are also very concerned because of the many properties of the Russian state in our country.
The EP believes that the network of Russian agents for disinformation is active in social networks, but also in the traditional media in our country, in academic circles and political parties. According to them, the numerous properties of the Russian state in Bulgaria serve as centers of influence on the democratic processes in our country.
Eva Meidel – MEP from GERB/ENP: “We should note that in the resolution we are adopting, Bulgaria is also mentioned for having high levels of Russian assets. There are doubts about interference in the election process, about interference in various influential circles such as non-governmental organizations, political analysts, media, etc.
Petar Tanev is part of the “Foundation for Democratic Development” in Brussels, which works actively with the Russian opposition and advises the EP on issues related to Russian attempts to influence the EU.
Petar Tanev – “Foundation for Democratic Development”: “There are properties in Bulgaria that are registered as part of the Russian Federation and they are used as some special agencies to spread Russian influence both on society and on state institutions. This thing is unacceptable and the Bulgarian authorities must take measures.”
EU countries and European institutions are exposed to constant attacks and attempts to interfere, especially before the European elections.
Ilhan Kyuchuk – MEP from DPS/”Renew Europe”: “We have seen in many places in the EU how the extreme right and the extreme left interact when we talk about aid in the service of a foreign country, in the specific case Russia, how they consult their election platforms, it doesn’t happen for free of course, with powerful Russian oligarchs very directly connected to the activities of the Kremlin. This is a subversive activity that puts European democracy under enormous threat. We must make sure that in these elections the voters do not doubt for a moment that the choice they have made is the right one and that there is no outside interference on their own will.”
According to the MEP from the Group of Socialists and Democrats Petar Vitanov, there have been 750 attempts at external interference in the work of the EP in the last year:
“What can be done – we call on the Commission to limit, to change the methodology of social media content so that it is not influenced by interactions and misinformation does not reach us.”
The MEPs insist that there be a special European structure or a commissioner to monitor foreign interference in the countries of the community and take concrete measures.
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Tags: European Parliament Russian network agents Bulgaria world country
