Same reader from Bulgaria on what needs to change:

"Bro, the only solution for Bulgaria is not a mass protest, is a fucking bloody revolution and the heads of all government officials from the last 30 years be put on a spike on National Assembly Square in Sofia.
Nothing less will help"

If you're from Bulgaria - do you agree?

Let's speed run through some key players in Bulgaria and why such sentiment exists:

Boyko Borisov, Bulgaria’s longtime prime minister and leader of GERB, has been dogged for years by allegations of entrenched corruption, state capture, and ties to organized crime figures from his early career in security services. Critics accuse him of overseeing a government that systematically misused EU funds, rigged public tenders, and protected oligarchic interests. In 2022, he was briefly detained during an investigation into the misuse of European Union financial aid — though later released without charges due to insufficient evidence. Photos, recordings, and testimonies have repeatedly surfaced in the media alleging bribery, influence-peddling, and abuse of power, though none have resulted in conviction. Whether proven or not, Borisov is viewed by many Bulgarians as the symbol of the country’s deeply rooted corruption.

Delyan Peevski, a powerful media mogul and longtime MP with the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS), is one of Bulgaria’s most controversial public figures. He was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury under the Global Magnitsky Act for “extensive corruption,” including allegations of bribery, influence over judicial appointments, and manipulating government decisions through a network of loyal intermediaries. Peevski’s dominance in Bulgarian media has also drawn criticism for suppressing press freedom and shaping narratives favorable to political allies. Because of his ability to influence courts, elections, and political negotiations, critics frequently cite him as a key architect of Bulgaria’s so-called “state capture.” Although he has never been convicted in Bulgarian courts, international sanctions and domestic investigations have made his political role extremely contentious.

Ahmed Dogan, founder and long-dominant leader of the DPS party, has been surrounded by political controversy for decades. Declassified documents from Bulgaria’s post-communist commission showed him listed as a collaborator with the communist-era State Security services, which continues to fuel debate about his role before 1989. He has been criticized for transforming DPS into a king-maker party that brokers political power behind the scenes, benefiting from state contracts and influence networks including in Turkey. Dogan faced corruption accusations related to lucrative consulting fees on hydro-energy projects, although he was acquitted. More recently, he has been accused by political rivals of bearing responsibility for aspects of the late-communist “Revival Process” — the forced assimilation campaign against the Turkish minority. His influence, often exercised informally rather than through official posts, remains one of the most divisive aspects of Bulgarian politics.

Ivan Kostov, Bulgaria’s prime minister from 1997 to 2001, is remembered for major economic reforms but also for controversies tied to the chaotic privatizations of the post-communist transition. His government sold off state assets rapidly — a process critics say enabled massive wealth transfers to politically connected businessmen. Throughout his career, Kostov has faced allegations of favoritism, nepotism, and blackmail within high-level political and business negotiations. Some businessmen publicly accused figures close to him of demanding bribes or using state pressure to influence deals. Although he has not been convicted of any crime, the perception that his reforms benefited a narrow elite at the expense of ordinary citizens continues to shape his controversial legacy.

Sergei Stanishev, former prime minister and leader of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, led Bulgaria during a period marked by accusations of corruption, administrative dysfunction, and state infiltration by organized-crime groups. Several scandals during his tenure involved senior officials in the interior ministry allegedly leaking sensitive information to criminal networks. Stanishev himself faced investigation for mishandling classified documents — though ultimately, the charges did not lead to significant penalties. Critics argue that although he publicly advocated reforms, his government failed to curb the influence of oligarchic networks or strengthen judicial independence, contributing to the climate of corruption that European institutions repeatedly criticized in their reports on Bulgaria.

Blagomir Kotsev, mayor of Varna and a figure from the reformist WCC–DB coalition, became a major controversy in 2025 after being detained on charges of participating in an organized criminal group, bribery, coercion, and abuse of office. Prosecutors allege that Kotsev and associates demanded kickbacks from municipal contracts, including a large catering procurement, and pressured businesses to manipulate city decisions. Supporters argue the case is politically motivated, surfacing after he unseated long-standing local networks. His arrest sparked nationwide protests and accusations of “selective justice.” Kotsev was later released on high bail, with legal proceedings ongoing, making the case a symbol of Bulgaria’s struggles with corruption, institutional trust, and politicized justice.

Learning a lot on Bulgaria today. Unsure if this was the right move.

Since the fall of communism in 1989 - over 250 high profile assassinations have taken place in and around Sofia, Bulgaria with 1 conviction so far

Violeta Sechkova for Honorary Consul of Korea in Plovdiv c. 2021

Her husband had close ties with Borisov and she "discreetly" received Honorary Consul privileges (akin to ambassadors) from Bulgaria's government.

—Five private forwards

🇹🇷 Turkish President Erdogan:
Above all, we are a nation and a state guided by conscience.

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🇬🇧🇦🇱 - British Albanian international superstar Dua Lipa refused to make selfie using fan's phone once she realized that it was an Android. Took another fan's iPhone to make photo instead.

Whenever you see or hear about people wanting to break off into even smaller pieces of territory -- my mind immediately races to Jewish ploys.

Certain power groups think it's a viable idea to 'balkanize' territory in order to later absorb it.

This act - in theory is relatively simple. Solidify minority base, ferment division, amplify visual evidence of the minority base and demand concessions. Rinse and repeat until the entity is torn apart.

The part where the theory breaks down is the absorption process. The local power players believe they have the chaos under control, but what they fail to foresee is the expansion of the power vacuum beyond intended demarcations.

Unintentionally inviting larger and more powerful entities that swallow everything.

🇬🇷 — Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias has announced a major shift in Greece’s defence strategy, revealing plans to deploy mobile missile systems across hundreds of Aegean islands. The move is aimed at strengthening deterrence and expanding defensive coverage amid rising regional tensions.

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