Politization of migration is still to come to Bulgaria. In opposition to numerous EU countries with strong antiimmigration parties and crucial role of discourses on immigration in political campaigns, new migration countries like Bulgaria do not face these challenges. There are no extremist or right wing parties exploiting migration themes. The extremist party with the symptomatic name “Attack” mobilizes anti-minority rethorics against Roma and Turks, not against migrants. The paradox is that Attack’s activists even support some migrant communities – i.e. the Kurdish one, because sharing with them anti-turkish attitudes. The political dimension of migration in terms of politics could be summarized in four trends and phenomena:
Emergence of the first party – “The Other Bulgaria” – aimed at representing Bugarians abroad and “Bulgarians who feel abroad in Bulgaria”. This first attempt is not successful, because the party does not have any political influence;
Political initiatives of Bulgarians abroad. Some active members of the diaspora launch initiatives for better political representation of emigrants, such as Social councils for Bulgarians abroad or special constituency for emigrants so that they elect their deputes ;
Emigration is the easiest and fastest way to enter the top political elite. Several ministers of finances, including the current one, are huppies without a day of political activity. The most spectacular case was the former king Simeon who directly from emigration sat in the seat of prime minister.
Lack of favorable conditions for the political participation of immigrants. MIPEX report is very critical in this regard: “Non EU-residents are excluded from democratic life in Bulgaria, as in only several other central European countries like Romania. They cannot vote or stand in any election, unlike in 19 MIPEX countries. Structural immigration bodies are not part of integration governance. Neither does the State encourage new communities to organize and represent their civic and political interest”... Read more
