site.btaFrancois Decoster: Varna Mayor Arrest Shows Two Different Realities for Bulgaria

“The day of July 8 revealed two different realities for Bulgaria, and that contradiction cannot be ignored,” said Francois Decoster, President of the Renew Europe Group in the European Committee of the Regions, during a press conference in Varna on Tuesday. Decoster is visiting the city with a delegation from Brussels to meet with Mayor Blagomir Kotsev, who serves as rapporteur for the European Union’s Black Sea Strategy.

Kotsev was arrested on July 8 in a corruption probe and remained in remand for about five months - until his release on a BGN 200,000 bail by a Varna court on November 27. During his time in remand, he had to take paid and unpaid leave to justify his absence, and appointed a deputy to sit in for him. The Varna Municipal Election Commission took up the case of his absence after receiving alerts from voters. On November 23, the Commission postponed its decision on whether Mayor Kotsev should be removed from office over his long absence. On December 22, GERB leader Borissov urged the party's representatives on the Commission not to take part in any potential attempts to terminate Kotsev's mandate, because GERB's name "should not be involved in any kind of political schemes aimed at changing the people's majoritarian choice."

Kotsev has denied any wrongdoing. His Continue the Change party insist that his arrest is part of a campaign by the Establishment targeting the opposition.

Decoster said he came to Varna "to speak clearly, openly and directly to Bulgarian citizens” . “On July 8 in Brussels, Bulgaria's entry into the Eurozone was celebrated. From January the first, 2026, the euro will replace the leva, and this is an historic step forward. But on the same day, the European Commission published its rule of law report, which raised serious concerns about judicial independence and political interference in Bulgaria. And here in Varna, events on the ground reflected these concerns.”

Decoster referred to the arrest of Mayor Kotsev on corruption charges, which he said were “widely perceived as politically motivated,” noting that the incident was followed by thousands of citizens protesting in defense of the rule of law. “That day should have symbolized progress. Instead, it revealed a different truth. When the rule of law is undermined, democracy itself is at risk,” he said.

“Let me be clear: no one is above the law, but everyone has the right to a fair trial. Every democracy needs an independent judiciary. Across Europe, we see a worrying trend: pressure on local democracy and the rule of law being weakened at the municipal and regional levels,” Decoster added. “As liberals and democrats, as members of the Committee of the Regions of the European Union, we are defenders of local democracy. We stand firmly for fairness, transparency, and judicial independence.”

Decoster emphasized the European dimension of the issue. “We’re here today to express our strong support to Mayor Blagomir Kotsev. The first reason is because attacks on elected local leaders are attacks on local democracy itself. And the second reason is Mayor Kotsev is one of us. He is a member of the European Committee of the Regions and the rapporteur for the Black Sea Strategy. This makes what happens in Varna a European concern, not just a local one.”

Turning to the Black Sea Strategy, Decoster said: “The Black Sea Strategy that Mayor Kotsev is drafting aims to, first, strengthen security at the EU's eastern border, to support sustainable development, to recreate transport, energy, digital and trade corridors, and fourth, connect the Black Sea to the Baltic, the Mediterranean, the South Caucasus and Central Asia. Bulgaria, and Varna in particular, are central to this vision. But this strategy can only succeed if institutions are strong, investments are transparent, and the rule of law is respected.”

Decoster also stressed that “economic growth, energy security, food security and regional stability cannot exist without trust in democratic institutions. Europe needs a Black Sea region that is resilient against security threats, resilient against foreign interference, resilient against attacks on the rule of law.” He added that recent protests in Bulgaria “sent a clear message: people want justice, people want fairness, people want a secure democratic and prosperous future. We hear that message. That is why I came to Varna in person, and that is why we plan to return in May with a full delegation of our whole political group, local and regional leaders from across Europe. We are watching, we are listening. We will continue to stand up for local democracy, the rule of law, and the people of Varna and Bulgaria.”

Kotsev thanked the Renew Europe Group for their support and for raising the issue of his arrest in the European Parliament. “Through this cooperation, we can expect both concrete actions for the development of the region and oversight of how Bulgarian institutions function,” he said.

The European Strategy for the Black Sea

In his remarks, Mayor Kotsev highlighted Varna’s strategic role in the EU initiative. “In drafting a European Strategy for the Black Sea region, Varna will have a central role, and we have the unique opportunity for our voice to be heard in the Committee,” he said. “The key priorities of the strategic document will be security, economic development, including major projects and connectivity corridors, environmental protection, and the development of environmentally friendly energy sources.”

He also stressed the importance of local implementation: “More than half of public investments are done by local authorities. That is why the Committee of the Regions must inspire EU legislation and policies. Strategies like the Green Deal must be implemented locally, in accordance with the realities of towns and regions. Decisions cannot be made solely in offices in Brussels—they must reflect the life we lead on the ground.”