site.btaEU Lawmakers Demand Urgent Meeting with Commissioner McGrath Over Rule of Law Situation in Bulgaria

The President of the ALDE Party and Member of the European Parliament, Svenja Hahn, has written a letter to European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, Michael McGrath, raising alarm over what she describes as a "systematic campaign of political pressure" against the Bulgarian opposition party Continue the Change. Hahn posted the letter on X.

Hahn highlights "an alarming pattern of political interference in judicial matters" and a growing misuse of "prosecutorial powers to target opposition figures" and "legislative efforts that risk eroding democratic checks and balances".

She argues that these developments "raise serious questions about its adherence to the EU's founding values".

"Members of the democratic opposition, in particular leaders and elected members of Continue the Change are facing investigations, public disinformation campaigns, that we believe are politically motivated and coordinated efforts to limit their participation in public life. The most recent and pressing example of this is the arrest of the Blagomir Kotsev and the other two defendants municipal councillors from Continue the Change, Nikolay Stefanov and Yordan Kateliyev, last week on July 8, who remain in custody," the letter goes.

Kotsev was arrested last week after a corruption tipoff from a failed public procurement tenderer. The arrest caused an outrage and protests in Varna and Sofia.

The letter urges the European Commission to remain “engaged and vigilant,” in monitoring these developments. and to explore what steps might be taken at the EU level to support democratic resilience in Bulgaria. Hahn also extends a formal invitation to meet with Commissioner McGrath and his team to provide a fuller account of the situation.