GLOBSEC: Internal instability undermines perceptions of EU and NATO

Bulgaria remains a key member of the Western institutional system, positioned on NATO’s southeastern flank and serving as the Alliance’s gateway to the Black Sea, according to a report by the GLOBSEC organization.

The analysis notes that, ''while Bulgaria’s formal alignment with the EU and NATO is clear, public attitudes continue to reveal ambivalence towards its Western orientation and democratic model''.

''Although political stability somewhat improved following the formation of a technocratic cabinet in late 2024, trust in institutions and satisfaction with democracy remain among the lowest in Central and Eastern Europe'', the document states.

According to the report, ''after nearly four years of recurring elections and fragile coalitions, people in Bulgaria express fatigue with the political system and scepticism about the ability of institutions and representatives to deliver tangible results. Beyond political disillusionment, societal frustration extends to perceptions of the EU and NATO. For many respondents, Bulgaria’s Western partners appear distant or unresponsive to domestic concerns''.

Edited by Ivo Ivanov

Translated by Kostadin Atanasov