Bulgaria still rated free by Freedom House, but score falls

According to the Washington-based non-governmental organisation Freedom House, the state of freedom worldwide has deteriorated for the twentieth consecutive year, as detailed in its annual report. Bulgaria is classified as a free country, achieving a score of 74 out of 100 — three points lower than last year.

• Bulgaria's rating among the free countries in the world is deteriorating: Freedom House

The report notes that the country has a democratic system in which multiple parties compete, and that there have been several transfers of power between rival political forces in recent decades. However, it continues to face problems with political corruption, organised crime, media freedom and discrimination against ethnic minorities.

A country’s Freedom in the World status depends on its aggregate Political Rights score (on a scale of 0–40) and its aggregate Civil Liberties score (on a scale of 0–60). Bulgaria scored 30 out of 40 points for political rights and 44 out of 60 for civil liberties.

Countries are classified as "Free" if they score between 70 and 100 points, "Partly Free" if they score between 40 and 69 points, and "Not Free" if they score 39 points or less.

Editor: Diana Tsankova

Edited and posted in English by E. Radkova