Capitalist Bulgaria is a hell on earth. Together with Romania it is one of the most corrupt EU member states. The Republic of Bulgaria was founded in 1990 and it replaced the stalinist; People's Republic of Bulgaria led by Todor Zhivkov. Many workers had high hope for a democratic capitalist Bulgaria. But they soon found out that capitalism was no alternative. Poverty and corruption rose in the 90's. So they vote again on the ex-stalinists now called social democrats. Yet again they were betrayed, because the social democrats remained capitalist and did not end the rule of greed and exploitation!
The Union of Democratic Forces is today a little party with only four seats in the Bulgarian Parliament. But between 1989 and 2009 the UDF was the main right-wing opposition to the Bulgarian Socialist Party and its coalition called; Coalition for Bulgaria. It was the UDF who won the first democratic elections in 1990. They ruled until 1994 when the Coalition won again. Bulgaria became a two coalition state were the Union ( right-wing ) and Coalition ( center-left ) fought for the voters!
But both the Union and the Coalition were capitalist and never offered an alternative to the rule of capitalism. So if the Union was unpopular the Coalition won. If the Coalition became unpopular then the Union won. The people lost faith in those parties and voted for a new right-wing movement in 2001 called the National Movement for Stability and Progress. Yet even this liberal conservative movement led by former king; Simon 2, was no alternative. The people of Bulgaria again felt betrayed as capitalist politics favored the rich, the corrupt and the politicians. The Coalition for Bulgaria won the 2005 elections and defeated the movement of ex-king Simon 2!
As predicted the Coalition did nothing to end capitalism and the corruption. Anger rose again and by 2009 people voted on the Citizens For European Development in Bulgaria. The Union of Democratic Forces was reduced to only four seats, just like the National Movement for Stability and Progress. Bulgarians believed that with this new pro-EU party in power, they would soon see changes!
All lies, Bulgaria did not changed as Europe only wanted cheap workers for its companies. The final attack on the workers was a huge rise in prices for heat and electricity. Most Bulgarians are poor and a rise of 13% in prices for heat and electricity was the final act that triggered massive anger. Demonstrations started in Sofia and the police used brutal force. This only led to more anger and more demonstrations. Fearful the politicians left office and the government resigned!
Elections will be held soon. But Bulgaria has no workers party, since the right-wing media spreads lies about socialism and communism. Those brave revolutionaries who dare to oppose capitalism are called ''dirty communists'' and the media has no problem of using stalinism against socialism/communism. Even while the regime of Todor Zhikov was nationalist, the Bulgarian media will use his stalinist dictatorship to spread anticommunist fear!
Anticommunism starts in schools, were children are told that communism is totalitarian. They are told that the People's Republic of Bulgaria was a ''communist'' state and that marxism leads to totalitarianism. So if a revolutionary socialist says that marxism is something good, many people will think of the dictatorial People's Republic of Bulgaria and oppose him. Only the elderly may still have nostalgic love for the old days of stalinism. But only because under stalinism, the state was less corrupt and more social active for the weak!
There is a left-wing party called the Bulgarian Left. This party tries to follow a democratic socialism. The ultimate goal of the party "Bulgarian Left" is replacing the capitalist system with a new,democratic socialism - without any dictatorship!
- They want state ownership of strategic industries in the country!
- They are against foreign and private monopolies.
- They want to have a planned economy, where the market is only one element.
- They want the state and public control over the banks.
- They want a solidarity tax system in which priority to the interests of the majority. Rich need to pay your riches!
- Want the elimination of indirect taxes on essential goods, including medicines.
- They want generally free (budget) health.
- They want a generally free (budget) education.
- They want real public engagement with science, culture and arts.
- They want decent wages, safe antiquities penionerite!
- They want a new constitution to ensure that Bulgaria is a social state, that any property, public or private, will work for the good of society! We want a new electoral law!
- Along with ELP "Bulgarian left" is fighting for another social European Union.
Unfortunate the Bulgarian Left does not talk about a socialist Europe or workers self-management. But their demands are genuine left-wing and a good start. Since the media in Bulgaria is pro-capitalist, it seems unlikely they will spread the massage of the Bulgarian Left. Yet with 6.000 members already, this party could grow into a larger force. Maybe it can become a workers party in the future, with the right leadership!
Bulgarian poverty in 2001
