Wed, Jun 19 2013
September 20 2009 event planned against background of homophobic graffiti and memories of a 2001 event that ended in turmoil.
Several of the headlines on the morning after the first sitting of Bulgaria’s new Parliament reflected the mood of expectation around Boiko Borissov’s forthcoming government.
Bulgaria has given Boiko Borissov a mandate for change.
Despite a modest turnout, those who participated in the Rainbow Friendship parade 2009 had something to celebrate when they reached the Red House.
Let us accept that the principles essential to the functioning of a democracy include the prevention of abuse of prosecution for political ends, and the presumption of innocence until guilt is proven.
Bulgaria’s European Parliament elections were seen as a dry run for the July 2009 national parliamentary elections, and have set the scene for the complex contest ahead in the next few weeks.
In more than one way, Bulgaria’s European Parliament elections on June 7 are a dry run for the national parliamentary elections on July 5.
Resentment on the part of ordinary Bulgarians on the basis of the perception that those on the public payroll are skimming off the cream by paying themselves lavish bonuses would be quite understandable.
A dialogue is needed about how civil society responds in terms of gathering money and goods to help those in need.
Sensible people in Central and Eastern Europe, of course, will not confuse Wilders and his ilk with the tradition of tolerance of which the Dutch justly can be proud.
The performance of the Government in actual delivery of assistance – money and equipment – and in aiding recovery in the coming months must be kept under the most careful scrutiny.
Debate should be democratic, indeed, but it also should be rational and factual.
I am fortunate to work at AUBg, which has an active Gay-Straight Alliance despite the prevalence of (largely Bulgarian student) hostility based on buck stupidity. What is needed in Bulgaria is better education on the matter of homosexuality, in that it is neither an abnormality or in most cases even a 'choice'. It is simply a difference affecting a certain percent of the population worldwide and can well be celebrated since that little 'difference' creates quite a number of gifted people. I am proud to have gay students in my university classes and watch with fascination the insight and special [...]
Read the full comment combinations of talents that this special difference can provide. Yes, it's something to celebrate.