site.btaRenew Europe Expresses Support for Those Defending Democracy, Electoral Process Integrity

The Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament has expressed support for those defending democracy, the integrity of the electoral process, and the restoration of fairness and the rule of law during elections.

"Bulgaria matters. It is not at the periphery but at the heart of the EU defence architecture - on the external border, it is strategically positioned on Europe’s front line. Bulgaria is an important ammunition producer helping Ukraine," Renew Europe President Valerie Hayer said as quoted in press release, commenting on the results of the April 19 snap parliamentary elections in Bulgaria. She said that Rumen Radev, who won the elections, was likely to pose risks to that supply. "Countries already supporting Ukraine would need to fill the gap left by Bulgaria, which is a significant producer of Soviet-caliber ammunition. This could tighten stockpiles across Europe and slow delivery timelines, especially for artillery shells and small arms rounds that match older systems still widely used by Ukrainian force," Hayer said. 

In its press release, the Renew Europe Group congratulated Continue the Change on their results in the parliamentary elections. Their third place and continuous efforts to restore rule of law and maintain Bulgaria’s pro-European path position them as the only genuine pro-European and anti-corruption democratic voice for the Bulgarian citizens, Hayer said. "We stand for a Bulgaria that is a reliable, values-driven partner within the European Union not a source of instability or democratic backsliding," the press release added. 

"Rule of law and pro-European policies are inseparable, and we will continue supporting or partners in their efforts for a strong Bulgaria in strong Europe. We have seen in the past that corruption, the rule of law and Russian influence go hand in hand. They nurture one another, and the fight against them is also inseparable – anti-corruption policies, integrity and pro-European efforts," Hayer said.