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 Thursday (April 25) at the last plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, BNT reports. MEPs are concerned about the existence in the 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 Bulgaria.
The EP believes that the network of Russian disinformation agents is active in social networks, but also in traditional media, academia and political parties. According to them, the many properties of Russia in Bulgaria serve as centers of influence on the democratic processes in the country.
“In the resolution we are adopting, Bulgaria is also mentioned as 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., commented Eva Meidel – MEP from GERB (ENP).
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, says that there are properties in Bulgaria that are registered as part of the Russian federation and they are used as some kind of special agencies to spread the Russian influence both on the society and on the 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.
MEP from DPS (“Renew Europe”) Ilhan Kyuchuk says that in many places in the EU, the extreme right and the extreme left interact in the service of Russia. “They consult their election platforms, this does not happen for free, of course, with influential Russian oligarchs who are very directly connected to the activities of the Kremlin. This is a subversive activity that puts European democracy under a huge threat,” he points out.
