The democratic and governance backsliding in Bulgaria have provided opportunities for the expansion of foreign malign influence in the country. Russia has been successful in tapping into local pro-Russian oligarchic networks and media channels to achieve political leverage. China has also increased its information presence in Bulgaria but remains less visible in public perceptions. 

In the white paper Vulnerability to Foreign Influence in Bulgaria, the Center for the Study of Democracy explores the main factors and techniques of foreign influence expansion in critical sectors of the economy, media and civil society. The analysis outlines key policy steps for addressing governance gaps that have facilitated the expansion of foreign political and economic influence in the country. 

This white paper is part of a partnership with GLOBSEC, Slovakia, for the development of the pilot Vulnerability Index 2021.