Bulgaria has requested formal assistance from the European Union to counter Russian election meddling ahead of its parliamentary vote on April 19, 2026. The government’s appeal includes a request for the EU’s diplomatic service to help identify foreign propaganda and the activation of a rapid response system to monitor major social media platforms. Experts warn that Bulgaria remains highly vulnerable to Russian influence, particularly as disinformation has shifted from traditional media to unregulated online spaces. This proactive stance marks a major shift for the country, which has historically been silent about the scale of foreign interference in its democratic processes.
Date: April 1, 2026. Source: politico.eu