Democratic Bulgaria

Democratic Bulgaria (DB) is an electoral alliance in Bulgaria formed by three political parties – Yes, Bulgaria!, Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria and The Greens. The union was created on 12 April, 2018.[11]

Democratic Bulgaria Bulgarian: Демократична България
Chairman	Atanas Atanasov Hristo Ivanov[1]
Founded	April 12, 2018
Ideology	Liberalism[2] Liberal conservatism[3] Pro-Europeanism[2] Green politics[4] Anti-corruption[2]
Political position	Centre[5][6] to centre-right[7][8]
European Parliament group	European People's Party (DSB only) [9] European Green Party (The Greens only) [10]
Colours	Blue   White   Green   Red
National Assembly	0 / 240
European Parliament	1 / 17
Municipalities	10 / 265
Website
demokrati.bg
Politics of Bulgaria Political parties Elections

History

The creation of Democratic Bulgaria was officially announced through the symbolic signing of a declaration entitled "A Democratic Bulgaria Can Do More". The three parties united after several months of talks on cooperation during the next general election.[12][13] In its manifesto, the union set out its main goals, including to be an alternative to the current government and to consolidate Bulgaria's democratic values and Euro-Atlantic choices.[2]

Structure

The Democratic Bulgaria structure has two co-leaders – Hristo Ivanov of Yes, Bulgaria! and Atanas Atanasov of Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria. The leaders of The Greens – Vladislav Panev and Borislav Sandov - also participate in the union's council.[14]

Political positions

Finance

Some of DB's priorities are Bulgaria's Eurozone and Banking union membership, a reduction of budget spending to 1/3 of the GDP, as well as taxation reform, with a reduction of VAT from 20% to 18% and a non-taxable minimum of the income tax.[15]

Defense

In the sphere of defense, the party seeks public support of the Armed Forces using the Social contract of defensive politics.[16]

Elections

2019 European Parliament election

In order to select its candidates, Yes, Bulgaria! conducted a remote preliminary election. Those willing to vote could do it digitally using the mobile app of Yes, Bulgaria! or by mail.[17] All members of Yes, Bulgaria! had the right to participate, together with everyone who received an invitation from a current party member.[17] The electoral process began on 27 November 2018, and the final results were declared on 11 February 2019. A total of 5898 people voted, and the candidate with the most votes was Stefan Tafrov, a diplomat and former ambassador.[18]

The candidate of Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria for the European elections Svetoslav Malinov was selected through a resolution during the party's National Congress on 12 November 2018.[19] Malinov has been a Member of the European Parliament since 2009 as a member of the European People's Party.[19]

On February 22, 2019, The Greens announced their primary candidate for the elections – Albena Simeonova – an environmentalist and entepreneur in the sphere of bio agriculture. She was elected through an online vote on the website of the party.[20]

Democratic Bulgaria eventually won one seat in the 2019 European Parliament election, which went to DSB member Radan Kanev.[21][22]

2019 Local elections

Local elections were held across Bulgaria on 27 October, 2019, with Democratic Bulgaria failing to win a single mayoral contest, but far exceeding expectations in the capital Sofia, where they won 8 out of 25 districts, including most of the city center.[23] The results were seen as a serious setback for the ruling party GERB, which had until then maintained a strong hold on the capital, winning 23 out of 25 districts in 2015.[24]

Statistics

European Parliament

Election	Seats won	Votes	%	Rank
2019	1 / 17	118,484	6.06%	5th

References

1. "Управленска алтернатива на Демократична България | Демократична България".
2. "Демократична България може много повече | Демократична България".
3. Ramet, Sabrina P. (February 18, 2010). Central and Southeast European Politics since 1989. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781139487504 – via Google Books.
4. "Кои сме ние, ЗЕЛЕНИТЕ".
5. Dimitrov, Martin (4 November 2019). "Bulgaria Ruling Party Retakes Capital in Local Elections". Balkan Insight.
6. Cholakov, Petar (14 July 2020). "Political crisis in Bulgaria sparks protests and outrage | DW | 14.07.2020". Deutsche Welle.
7. Petkova, Mariya (12 July 2020). "Bulgaria rocked by protests amid coronavirus fears". Al Jazeera.
8. Dimitrov, Martin (20 August 2020). "How a bizarre beach plot landed Bulgaria's longtime PM in hot water". The Guardian.
9. https://www.epp.eu/parties-and-partners/
10. https://europeangreens.eu/map
11. Ангелов, Георги А. (April 12, 2018). "ДСБ, "Да, България" и "Зелените" учредяват обединение "Демократична България"". Dnevnik.
12. ""Демократична България" пое на битка срещу корупицонния модел на ГЕРБ, БСП и ДПС". Mediapool.bg.
13. https://clubz.bg/66565-demokratichna_bylgariq_sreshtu_korupcionniq_model_na_gerb_bsp_i_dps_video?fbclid=IwAR3Hl7wRmneUU544QwYbEXd_yhlnvGUSCxif-01NfHMr_b_VzWGgLaIqveE
14. "ДСБ, "Да, България" и "Зелените" се обединяват в съюз "Демократична България"". www.capital.bg.
15. "Финанси | Демократична България".
16. "Отбрана | Демократична България".
17. "Вътрешни избори: често задавани въпроси".
18. "Стефан Тафров спечели вътрешните избори на "Да, България" за евродепутати". www.capital.bg.
19. "ДСБ издига Светослав Малинов като водещ кандидат за изборите за ЕП - По света и у нас - БНТ Новини". news.bnt.bg.
20. "Албена Симеонова и Росен Богомилов са водещите кандидати на Зелените за евроизборите". February 22, 2019.
21. "Радан Кънев е евродепутатът на "Демократична България" - По света и у нас - БНТ Новини". news.bnt.bg.
22. "Няма разместване в листата, Радан Кънев е евродепутатът на "Демократична България"". nova.bg.
23. Христова, Михаил Стоянов, Анна (November 4, 2019). ""Демократична България" ще има кметове в 8 столични района, ГЕРБ - в 12". Dnevnik.
24. "Изненада при районните кметове в София след окончателните резултати". Vesti.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2019-11-04.