A Difficult Final Year for EU-Bound Bulgaria?
A Difficult Final Year for EU-Bound Bulgaria?

Summary/Abstract: Will Bulgaria make it to Brussels in 2007? Back in March 1997, when former PM Stefan Sofianski filed his country’s formal EU bid, it seemed almost impossible. The Balkan country had not made any really considerable progress towards developing a market economy and democracy since former dictator Todor Zhivkov’s downfall in November 1989. However, the right-wing Kostov and Saxecoburggotski governments that followed Sofianski’s initiative worked hard from 1997 until the present, and it seemed until the June 2005 parliamentary elections that Bulgaria was on the right track. However, difficulties in forming a cabinet subsequently stalled vital reforms. Now, a lot of work still needs to be done.The European Commission proved rather critical in its October 2005 report. Citing the report, the Sofia Morning News listed organized crime, corruption, a weak judiciary system and agricultural issues as Bulgaria’s main impediments. The BBC spoke of a “post-election impasse” as partially to blame. However, organized crime was only added to the list relatively recently. Although crime in post-communist Bulgaria has always been an issue, it was never considered a major problem.

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