Bulgaria Seeks EU Support to Combat Russian Disinformation Ahead of Elections
Severity: High (Score: 62.9)
Sources: Insightnews.Media, News.Liga
Summary
Bulgaria has formally requested assistance from the European Union to counter Russian interference in its upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for April 19, 2026. The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry reached out to the European External Action Service (EEAS) to help identify and disrupt foreign disinformation campaigns targeting public opinion through social media and propaganda websites. This request is significant as it marks a shift in Bulgaria's previous stance of downplaying foreign interference concerns. The appeal includes activating the Rapid Response System under the Digital Services Act to coordinate with major platforms like Meta, Google, and TikTok. The Bulgarian government has established a temporary unit to address hybrid threats and enlisted investigative journalist Hristo Grozev for guidance. Recent assessments highlight Bulgaria's vulnerability to disinformation, with a permissive information environment for malign manipulation. The request reflects a broader European trend of treating election-related disinformation as a serious security issue. This election will be Bulgaria's eighth in five years, amidst ongoing political instability. Key Points: • Bulgaria has requested EU support to combat Russian disinformation ahead of elections. • The appeal includes activating the Digital Services Act's Rapid Response System. • Bulgaria's shift in policy indicates a heightened awareness of foreign interference risks.