Sofia, Bulgaria – The Bulgarian Parliament has rejected a proposal to establish a Temporary Commission tasked with investigating the activities of George Soros, his son Alexander Soros, and their associated foundations in Bulgaria.
The motion, which aimed to scrutinize their financial involvement with Bulgarian individuals, legal entities, NGOs, and connections to political parties, magistrates, educational institutions, media, business structures, and state authorities, was met with significant division among lawmakers.
The proposal was brought to the floor amid rising political rhetoric about foreign influence in Bulgaria, with its proponents arguing that the role of Soros-affiliated organizations in Bulgarian public life required greater transparency. However, the initiative ultimately failed to gain enough support in a re-vote held on Tuesday.
A Divided Vote
The vote saw clear splits among parliamentary factions. The motion was backed by MPs from the “DPS-New Beginning” (DPS-Peevski), “There is Such a People” (TISP), “Moral, Unity, Honor” (MECH), five members of “BSP-United Left,” and one representative from GERB.
However, strong opposition came from the “We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria” (WCC-DB) coalition and 25 MPs from the ruling GERB party. Notably, 36 GERB lawmakers abstained from the vote, signaling internal disagreements within the ruling party.
In a striking political maneuver, the pro-Russian “Revival” party, which has previously been vocal against foreign-backed foundations, left the parliamentary chamber before the vote took place. Their absence raised questions about their stance on the matter, as they had previously criticized organizations such as “America for Bulgaria.”
Rejected in a Re-Vote
Initially, the motion garnered sufficient backing for consideration, but a re-vote was requested by Toshko Yordanov of TISP. The second tally resulted in 62 votes in favor, 74 against, and 43 abstentions—effectively quashing the proposal.
Yordanov, expressing his frustration with the outcome, criticized the absence of “Revival” MPs, stating that their departure demonstrated inconsistency in their position on foreign influence in Bulgaria.
The rejection of the commission marks the conclusion of a debate that had sparked intense discussions about transparency, political influence, and foreign-backed organizations in Bulgaria.
Supporters of the motion argued that a thorough investigation into Soros-related entities was necessary to understand their impact on Bulgarian institutions and governance.
Opponents, however, dismissed the proposal as politically motivated, lacking sufficient justification for state intervention into the operations of private foundations.
Political Implications
The failed vote underscores the growing polarization in Bulgaria’s political landscape, particularly on issues concerning foreign influence and transparency.
GERB’s divided stance highlights internal tensions within the ruling party, while the unexpected withdrawal of “Revival” from the debate raises further speculation about their political strategy.
With the commission now off the table, questions remain about whether Bulgaria’s political factions will continue to push for investigations into foreign-backed organizations or if the issue will fade from the legislative agenda.
For now, the debate over the role of Soros-linked foundations in Bulgaria remains unresolved, with contrasting opinions on whether their activities should be subject to further scrutiny.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members