 | This articlehas an unclearcitation style. The references used may be made clearer with a different or consistent style ofcitation andfootnoting.(October 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Democratic Bulgaria Демократична България | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Abbreviation | DB |
| Leaders | Hristo Ivanov Atanas Atanasov |
| Founded | 12 April 2018; 7 years ago (2018-04-12) |
| Dissolved | 13 February 2023 (2023-02-13) (as an electoral alliance) |
| Preceded by | Reformist Bloc |
| Succeeded by | PP–DB (a successor to the electoral alliance) |
| Ideology | Liberal conservatism[1]Conservative liberalism[2] Liberalism[3][4] Anti-corruption[4] Pro-Europeanism[5] |
| Political position | Centre-right[6][7] |
| European affiliation | European People's Party[a] |
| Colours | Blue White Green Red |
| National Assembly | 17 / 240 |
| European Parliament | 1 / 17 |
| Website | |
| demokrati.bg | |
Democratic Bulgaria (Bulgarian:Демократична България - Обединение, ДБ,Demokratichna Balgariya,DB) is a political alliance in Bulgaria. Founded on 12 April 2018 as anelectoral alliance between three political parties –DaB,DSB and theGreen Movement,[8] it merged intoPP–DB in 2023.[9] In April 2024 the Green Movement left PP–DB.[10] DaB and DSB maintain close relations and brand themselves as "Democratic Bulgaria".
The creation of Democratic Bulgaria was officially announced through the symbolic signing of a declaration entitled "A Democratic Bulgaria Can Do More". The three parties united after several months of talks on cooperation during the next general election.[11][12] In its manifesto, the union set out its main goals, including to be an alternative to the current government and to consolidate Bulgaria's democratic values and Euro-Atlantic choices.[13]
The Democratic Bulgaria structure has two co-leaders – Hristo Ivanov ofYes, Bulgaria! and Atanas Atanasov ofDemocrats for a Strong Bulgaria. The leaders of The Greens – Vladislav Panev and Borislav Sandov – also participate in the union's council.[14]
At the Congress ofYes, Bulgaria!, Hristo Ivanov proposed the formation of a joint board between the three DB member parties in order to coordinate decision making between the three parties, withPP similarly invited.[15]
| Party | Abbr. | Founded | Leader | Ideology | MPs | MEPs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes, Bulgaria! Да, България! | DaB! | 7 January 2017 (2017-01-07) | Hristo Ivanov | Liberalism Anti-corruption Pro-Europeanism | 9 / 240 | 0 / 17 | |
| Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria Демократи за силна България | DSB | 30 May 2004 (2004-05-30) | Atanas Atanasov | Liberal conservatism Pro-Europeanism Anti-communism | 8 / 240 | 1 / 17 | |
Some of DB's priorities are Bulgaria'sEurozone andBanking union membership, a reduction of budget spending to 1/3 of theGDP, as well as taxation reform, with a reduction ofVAT from 20% to 18% and a non-taxable minimum of theincome tax.[16]
In the sphere of defense, the party seeks public support of theArmed Forces using the Social contract of defensive politics.[17]
For the2021 Bulgarian presidential election, DB supported the election bid ofLozan Panov, the chairman of theBulgarian supreme court.[18]
In order to select its candidates, Yes, Bulgaria! conducted a remote preliminary election. Those willing tovote could do itdigitally using themobile app of Yes, Bulgaria! or bymail.[19] All members of Yes, Bulgaria! had the right to participate, together with everyone who received an invitation from a current party member.[19] The electoral process began on 27 November 2018, and the final results were declared on 11 February 2019. A total of 5898 people voted, and thecandidate with the most votes was Stefan Tafrov, adiplomat and former ambassador.[20]
The candidate of Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria for the European elections Svetoslav Malinov was selected through a resolution during the party's National Congress on 12 November 2018.[21] Malinov has been aMember of the European Parliament since 2009 as a member of theEuropean People's Party.[21]
On February 22, 2019, The Greens announced their primary candidate for the elections – Albena Simeonova – anenvironmentalist and entrepreneur in the sphere of bio agriculture. She was elected through an online vote on the website of the party.[22]
Democratic Bulgaria eventually won one seat in the2019 European Parliament election, which went to DSB memberRadan Kanev.[23][24]
Local elections were held across Bulgaria on 27 October 2019, with Democratic Bulgaria failing to win a single mayoral contest, but far exceeding expectations in the capital Sofia, where they won 8 out of 25 districts, including most of the city center.[25] The results were seen as a serious setback for the ruling partyGERB, which had until then maintained a strong hold on the capital, winning 23 out of 25 districts in2015.[26]
| Election | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | Government |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2021 | 302,280 | 9.45 (#5) | 27 / 240 | New | Snap election |
| Jul 2021 | 345,331 | 12.64 (#4) | 34 / 240 |  7 | Snap election |
| Nov 2021 | 166,966 | 6.37 (#6) | 16 / 240 |  18 | Coalition |
| 2022 | 186,511 | 7.45 (#6) | 20 / 240 | 4 | Snap election |
| Election | Votes | % | Seats | +/– |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 118,484 | 6.06 (#5) | 1 / 17 | New |
| 2024 | 290,865 | 14.45 (#3) | 1 / 17 |  0 |
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)