Will There Be a Bulgarian Spring?

The year of great changes especially in Arab world have been in 2011, with its conception in Tunisia and encompassing -: Egypt, Libya, Bahrain, Syria, and Yemen.

The people at last were looking for reforms and the only way forward was to rid themselves of their corrupt despot rulers and give birth to a democracy society. Some of the fights are still continuing but I'm sure in the end they will all prevail.

Running parallel with these events the world was embroiled in another battle, with the economies deteriorating at an alarming rate, and civil unrest looming large.

The Eurozone was sinking fast with Greece the first causality that was then in need of a massive bail out from the rest of the EU. The Greeks were criticised for being lazy, incompetent, liars and living of the fat of the land, but the one thing they can't be blamed for is not demonstrating and making their voices heard. Hundreds of thousands of Greeks took to the streets to vent their anger at their government and the austerity measures being recommended, which eventually brought about changes with the leadership.

Even in America at last, the younger population who had not been brain washed by the administration's constant propaganda, started the " Occupy Wall Street" campaign that has now spread world wide and is a voice of protest against corporate greed and corruption along with governments inability to do anything about it.

It seemed that the protests were spreading like a wild fire on all fronts and nowhere was protected from the hostility or people power behind them. Russia is also in revolt over Putin's Autocratic style of government and raging corruption that is holding back any signs for a true democratic Russian state.

Go to London and see who fills all the 5 star hotels and buys the multi million pound mansions... Russians of course!

So what about Bulgaria, the most corrupt and least democratic EU country? Will the flames of insurgency reach there?

Well, after the attack by Nationalists on praying Muslims and the uproar over the death of a young man killed by a driver of a van, who was employed by the alleged Roma Mafia Boss, everything has remained relativity calm recently until three weeks ago.

The railways were the first to see the axe fall. 2,000 workers to be sacked, train timetables drastically cut, along with an increase in fares by 9%. It seems that all of a sudden the powers that be, had realised the railways were insolvent and the problem wasn't going to go away. Brisov and his chums had been too busy patting themselves on the back and cutting ribbons, to notice that the lifeblood of the country was dissipating and building small highways was not the priority for the country right now. The deadlock after three weeks now looks to be settled and the syndicates have won some concessions but the main problems still exist.

The next contentious reform was a masterstroke by Djankov (although Borisov has now taken the blame) and was sure to cause pandemonium. He said that the pensioner age would be extended by one year starting 2012, which went back on a deal that was passed by parliament in 2010, saying the pensioner age would not be increased until 2021. There were no consultations just an announcement and even Borisov was taken by surprise with his prot?g?'s behaviour and blamed it on the "American way" of saying things! This I believe refers to "opening your mouth before the brain is engaged?"

30,000 trade unionists protested and the government has had to climb down yet again. Also, the out going President has vetoed the new amended bill.

Next, hundreds of tractors descended on Sofia from the outlying towns and villages to protest over EU farm subside, with the protestors staying in near by luxury hotels and enjoying the Sofa nightlife.

Needless to say the remonstration was like a damp squid and petered out with everyone going home and nothing achieved.

But where are the real demonstrations over the deplorable state of most things in Bulgaria? They are needed so that everyone gets a tolerable way of life and not what is the present state of affairs.

All the political parties in Bulgaria are inept and total garbage so a change is needed urgently, to revolutionize the Statues quo and breathe new life into Bulgarian politics!

Merry Christmas!

Keith Gregory

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