Political and social crises to blame for the “COVID-19 disaster” in Bulgaria · Global Voices

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Security staff are checking COVID-19 passes for visitors to the Sofia Mall, November 6, 2021. Photo by Ruslan Trad, used with permission.

One might think that the political crisis, the absence of a government and the holding of the third consecutive parliamentary elections in a year are already tough enough situations for Bulgaria, but on November 1, the country of nearly 7 million inhabitants struck a tragic new COVID-19 record – over 6,000 new cases and over 300 deaths. Honestly, I, and I’m pretty sure others around the country, don’t even know how to describe the failure, tragedy, and stubbornness that got us here.

Bulgaria has the lowest vaccination rate in the EU, while widespread hesitation over vaccines fueled by misinformation and a lackluster awareness campaign comes amid political unrest. As the COVID crisis unfolds and affects more and more sectors of the economy and society, the Bulgarian state is making a transition after more than a decade of reign by Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and his Citizens Party for the European development of Bulgaria (Gerb). Borisov took a step back after nearly a year of anti-corruption protests, marked by police violence and wiretapping of political opponents and even protesters.

This toxic situation was preceded by impunity scandals linked to Attorney General Ivan Geshev for refusing to investigate a number of Bulgarian politicians and businessmen who were sanctioned by the US government in June in under Magnitsky Law for links to corruption and human rights violations. The scandal has become a major divisive of the political elite, and while the interim government released a list of 33 companies and 21 people linked to blacklisted tycoons, the justice system failed yet taken action against them. In addition, Bulgaria is the only member state of the European Union whose citizens are included in this list.

Rapid COVID-19 test offered to visitors to the Mall of Sofia, November 6, 2021. Photo by Ruslan Trad, used with permission.

While Bulgaria initially responded swiftly by taking strong action against COVID-19 in March 2020, Borisov’s subsequent handling of the pandemic drew strong criticism as the country was severely affected in the autumn months after a relaxation of restrictions during the summer. Acting ministers appointed by President Roumen Radev, with whom Borisov had a long feud, did not fare any better – the statistics are grim: 3,117 people in Bulgaria who tested positive for COVID-19 have died in October 2021; 100,330 is the number of new cases in a month, the Sofia Globe reported. November can be even more difficult with all the anti-measures protests going on.

At the time of writing this article, the entire Bulgarian territory is already in what are known as “dark red areas”, as cases of COVID-19 infection have exceeded 800 per 100,000. Partial containment is expected if the number of new cases rises to 1,000/100,000, which is already a reality in some provinces in the west of the country, including the capital.

New daily confirmed deaths from COVID-19 per million people, seven-day moving average for Bulgaria, the European Union and Europe. Chart by Our World in Data, CC BY 4.0.

In a context of growing disinformation and the dissemination of fake news, at the beginning of November, more than 7,000 people were hospitalized. In most municipalities, there are no intensive care unit (ICU) beds available. A doctor who works in one of the busiest COVID-19 departments in Sofia told me on October 28:

“Ruslan, I don’t know when I’ll be back home – probably not this week.”

As restaurateurs protest against COVID-19 certificates, in the Bulgarian countryside the situation is grim and there are no beds available in many hospitals.

In the northwest of the country, in the provinces of Vidin, Montana, Vratsa and Lom, there is a shortage of hospital staff. Ambulances rushing to regional hospitals can often be seen on the roads. The situation is similar in other parts of Bulgaria. However, the majority of the population is still resistant to vaccinations.

My cousin is a doctor near Tarnovo, she is already 70 years old and still working. Yes, Bulgaria needs to vaccinate more people, doctors are suffering.

– nana (@nsc_nana) October 29, 2021

As I mentioned earlier, the political situation is contributing to the crisis as the country has been continuously between elections for over a year. There is an escalation of fake news and disinformation, including dozens of fictitious sites and social media accounts using doctors’ stolen personal information. Several investigations are underway, without clear results to date. Political parties are not taking decisive positions on vaccination at this crucial time, and according to the doctors I spoke with, we can already speak of “a COVID-19 disaster”.

Instead of creating a unified campaign to explain the situation and why it is important for people to get vaccinated, politicians of all stripes of the political spectrum compete in their silence and questionable statements. With the approach of the legislative and presidential elections of November 14, no one doubts that these positions will remain the same, for fear of losing voters. Low voter turnout is expected, fueled by apathy and frustration in general, and the COVID-19 crisis is further contributing to this situation.

“Every day Bulgaria loses the equivalent of a plane crash.” Bulgaria has the highest death rate in the world, but its leaders seem unwilling to do anything as the November elections approach.

My last one for @euronews: https://t.co/RPfSnKLRfd

– Aleksandar Brezar (@brezaleksandar) October 29, 2021

In addition, one of the police unions in Bulgaria announced last month that it was opposed to the introduction of COVID-19 certificates. Police insist on awareness campaign and “grace period” when only 30 percent of law enforcement officers have been vaccinated so far.

The use of the COVID-19 crisis for political ends has resulted in more serious protests. At the end of October, acting Education Minister Nikolai Denkov was attacked by supporters of the ultra-nationalist political party Vazrazhdane (Renouveau), one of the main forces behind protests against COVID-19 measures. Fortunately, the minister was not seriously injured, but the case is indicative of the tensions and how an unresolved crisis could lead to serious consequences.

Supporters of Vazrazhdane, whose leader is also a presidential candidate and accused of having close ties to the Kremlin, sometimes use social discontent to gain visibility. For example, the attack on Minister Denkov took place during a demonstration by doctors.

Another nationalist group is also involved in provoking social tensions in the context of the COVID-19 crisis. At least one vaccination center has come under attack in recent months, while doctors have come under threat for doing their jobs.

Bulgarian paramilitary group “BNO Shipka” attacked and closed a vaccination point in Varna, Bulgaria today (https://t.co/w43oy1zbKm). A few years ago @ruslantrad & @avramovok published an article about this organization’s “patrols” targeting migrants. Https://t.co/RhtLAI6yOk

– Bellingcat (@bellingcat) September 20, 2021

Meanwhile, the black market price for a fake vaccination certificate or negative PCR test has just hit 350 euros. In September, the current rate was between 200 and 300 euros, as reported by Balkan Insight.

Portugal, the most vaccinated country in the EU, has a 14-day covid death rate of 0.6 Bulgaria, the least vaccinated country in the EU, has a 14-day covid death rate of 26.5 #COVIDVaccine # COVID19

– Covid Data Check (@CovidDataCheck) November 2, 2021

The whole situation is indicative of the social problems in Bulgaria which have been developing for years without receiving the necessary attention, not only from within but also from abroad.

A Bulgarian store requiring the use of the Green Pass, the EU’s digital COVID certificate, in Sofia, Bulgaria on November 6, 2021. Photo by Ruslan Trad, used with permission.

The lack of quality political life also affects the general apathy and reluctance of people to comply with recommendations when they emanate from institutions and government. The decline in confidence in leaders, politicians and authorities is currently reflected in the attitude towards the COVID-19 crisis. As some analysts have commented, some of the social bonds between people are falling apart due to the polar divide on a number of topics, and this is one of the worst consequences of the crisis.

However, there are good examples. The mayors of the municipalities do everything to encourage the inhabitants to be vaccinated and some succeed. Organizations try to deliver food and essentials to doctors in intensive care units; some do it completely on purpose.

If there is a positive development, it will not be because of the situation in the country, but in spite of it, and thanks to the efforts of dedicated citizens.

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