Twenty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of communism, America.gov, as part of its feature “The Evolving Work of Democracy,” is asking academics and journalists from the United States and elsewhere to comment on the challenges to democracy that still lay ahead for countries of the former Eastern Bloc. What follows are their responses – and yours are welcomed as well.

What is the greatest challenge to democracy in Bulgaria?

Twenty years ago, Bulgaria was still under the rule of the dictator Todor Zhivkov. Nowadays, Bulgaria is a member of both NATO and the European Union. Elections in Bulgaria are meaningful, free, and fair, and political debate is spirited. Political parties actively compete for power, knowing that even if they lose in one election, they stand a chance of winning in the next. Power changes hands regularly and smoothly, and no party feels the need to destroy its opponents, for fear of being permanently marginalized otherwise. Freedom of speech and respect for human rights are well entrenched. In many respects, then, liberal democracy has taken firm root in Bulgaria — something that seemed inconceivable two decades ago.

Even so, the democratic system in Bulgaria faces daunting challenges, above all the corruption that plagues almost every segment of Bulgarian society — corruption that I have experienced firsthand during my frequent visits to Bulgaria. Petty corruption is so commonplace that most Bulgarians take it for granted. High-level corruption in Bulgaria reached new heights under the previous government. The EU was so dismayed by the persistence of high-level corruption that it cut off all funding to Bulgaria in July 2008, a suspension that remains in effect to this day. The government that emerged after Bulgaria’s July 2009 elections has pledged to crack down on corruption, but the success of these efforts remains to be seen.

A closely related problem is the tenaciousness of organized crime. Organized criminal gangs in Bulgaria, most of which have close ties to organized crime in Russia and Ukraine, have established networks in Sofia and other key cities, seeking to keep out potential rivals. Since 2000, several leading political figures in Bulgaria, including the former prime minister, have been tied to organized crime. The strength of organized crime is a challenge not only for the Bulgarian economy but also for the future of democracy in Bulgaria.

One further challenge for Bulgaria is its heavy dependence on Russia for energy sources, especially natural gas. Bulgaria receives 96 percent of its natural gas from Russia, leaving the country vulnerable to Moscow’s pressure. The Russian government’s prolonged termination of gas supplies flowing through Ukraine in January 2009 took a severe toll in Bulgaria, underscoring the country’s dependence on Russia. The previous Bulgarian government headed by Sergei Stanishev sought to foster extremely close ties with Russia, a country that has become increasingly authoritarian over the past nine years. The new Bulgarian government led by Boiko Borisov has sought to move away from Moscow, reversing the policy of the Stanishev government. Over the long term, however, Bulgaria will remain highly dependent on Russian energy supplies unless alternative sources can be developed — something that appears unlikely for the time being.

Learn more about Mark Kramer.