We Continue the Change

We Continue the Change
Name	We Continue the Change
Native name	Продължаваме промяната
Founded	2021
Founder	Kiril Petkov; Assen Vassilev
Headquarters	Sofia
Ideology	Pro-Europeanism; Anti-corruption; Centrism
Position	Centre
Seats1 title	National Assembly
Country	Bulgaria

We Continue the Change is a Bulgarian political party and movement formed in 2021 that emerged from a campaign against corruption and oligarchic influence in Sofia politics. It rose to prominence amid protests involving figures linked to media outlets such as bTV, institutions like the European Commission, and events connected to the 2020–2021 Bulgarian political crisis. The party has positioned itself as a centrist, reformist force seeking closer ties with European Union institutions and cooperation with NATO partners including United States allies.

History

The movement was launched in 2021 by former ministers who had worked in public administration during cabinets connected to figures such as Borisov-era administrations and successors associated with protests at sites like Alexandar Nevski Cathedral and demonstrations referencing cases prosecuted by the Sofia City Court. Founders came from backgrounds involving service under ministries and interactions with institutions such as the Ministry of Finance (Bulgaria), academic networks at Sofia University, and business ties discussed during hearings in the National Assembly (Bulgaria). Its rapid ascent followed electoral campaigns that intersected with events involving parties like GERB, Bulgarian Socialist Party, and newcomers such as There Is Such a People. The movement’s formation drew commentary from European politicians including members of the European Parliament and attention from leaders in capitals like Brussels and Washington, D.C. as it contested snap elections during a period shaped by rulings from courts including the Constitutional Court of Bulgaria.

Ideology and Platform

The party presented a platform blending pro-EU policy statements referencing the Treaty on European Union framework, anti-corruption rhetoric tied to prosecutions overseen in institutions akin to the Specialised Criminal Court (Bulgaria), and technocratic proposals similar to approaches advocated by economists with ties to International Monetary Fund forums. It advocated fiscal measures that drew comparisons to programs discussed in European Central Bank briefings and policy papers by think tanks in Vienna and Berlin. The platform emphasized administrative reform backed by legal mechanisms used in cases before the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office and proposed transparency measures resonant with standards from the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

Organization and Leadership

Leadership initially centered on prominent figures with ministerial experience who had served in cabinets engaging with counterparts from Germany and United Kingdom administrations and met delegations from institutions such as the World Bank and European Investment Bank. Organizational structures adopted elements seen in parties like Democratic Party (United States) local chapters and European movements including En Marche! in their reliance on campaign teams, policy advisors from universities like Harvard University and University of Oxford, and communications staff with backgrounds in outlets such as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Reuters. Internal decision-making referenced parliamentary procedures used in the National Assembly (Bulgaria) and coalition negotiations similar to talks involving SDSM or New Democracy (Greece).

Electoral Performance

The movement achieved notable results in the 2021 snap elections, directly competing with established parties such as GERB and the Bulgarian Socialist Party, and later participated in coalition talks with formations including Democratic Bulgaria and Movement for Rights and Freedoms. Its performance was analyzed in electoral studies alongside examples like the 2017 outcomes for En Marche! and the 2019 results for There Is Such a People, with turnout and seat distribution examined in contexts referencing the Central Electoral Commission (Bulgaria). Subsequent elections saw shifting support compared with regional trends observed in Poland and Hungary, and were commented on by international observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and delegations from parliaments such as the Bundestag.

Political Positions and Policies

Policy statements stressed integration with the European Union single market, reforms aligned with recommendations from the European Commission and financial discipline comparable to guidance from the International Monetary Fund, alongside anticorruption measures invoking prosecutorial models used by the Specialised Prosecutor's Office (Bulgaria). The party proposed judicial reforms referencing legal frameworks discussed at the Council of Europe and transparency initiatives echoing standards promoted by Transparency International and watchdogs associated with European Parliament committees. On foreign policy it emphasized NATO cooperation with allies like United States and partnership dialogue with neighboring states such as Romania and Greece.

Alliances and Coalitions

Negotiations and alliances involved talks with parties such as Democratic Bulgaria, comparisons to coalition-building episodes like those involving New Democracy (Greece) and Sinn Féin, and interactions with parliamentary groups in the European Parliament including centrist and liberal delegations. Coalition efforts were shaped by dynamics similar to those seen in Belgium and Italy where fragmented parliaments required multi-party agreements; partners brought in policy teams with experience related to institutions such as the European Investment Bank and the World Bank.

Criticism and Controversies

Critics compared its technocratic approach to movements like En Marche! and questioned links to business figures and media entities comparable to discussions around outlets such as bTV and Nova Television. Controversies included disputes over appointments reminiscent of debates in other European capitals like Rome and Athens, parliamentary clashes with parties such as GERB and the Bulgarian Socialist Party, and scrutiny from civil society groups associated with networks like Transparency International and observers from the European Commission.

Category:Political parties in Bulgaria