#Bulgaria - ‘EU funds are being stolen by a corrupt elite and used to cement their power’ Freund

Yesterday (5 October) protestors and MEPs gathered outside the European Parliament to show their support for the resolution on rule of law and fundamental rights in Bulgaria. Daniel Freund MEP (Green, German) visited Bulgaria and spoke to protestors. Freund says the message from people is very clear, “they’re fed up with the corruption” and the slow pace of reform. They are concerned that the justice system is captured and that media freedom is eroding at an alarming pace: “EU funds that we give are being stolen by a corrupt elite are being used to cement their power, or to buy up the remaining independent media. What Bulgarians, unfortunately, aren’t seeing so far is decisive action from the European Union. When I asked Bulgarians, what should we do? What should we do as the European Union? Their reply was unanimous. Everyone that I met was telling me please stop the EU funds because this money isn't feeding hungry children. If you stop the money, you're basically taking away the caviar from the corrupt.” Background Protests erupted in Bulgaria on 9 July when the chief prosecutor, Ivan Geshev, ordered a police raid on the President’s offices, demonstrators called for Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and chief prosecutor Ivan Geshev to resign, based on allegations of corruption and state capture. Citizens took to the streets and have continued to protest over 90 days.   On Monday evening MEPs discussed the ongoing protests in Bulgaria with Council and Commission representatives, a resolution drafted by Juan Fernando Lopez Aguilar MEP (S&D, Spain) will be voted on Thursday (8 October).