Ex EU Commissioner Kuneva Creates Civic Movement in Bulgaria

Bulgarian liberal politician, former European Commissioner Meglena Kuneva. Photo by BGNES

Former Bulgarian European Commissioner Meglena Kuneva inaugurated the creation of a new civic movement dubbed "Bulgaria for Citizens" Sunday.

The stated main goals of the movement are to actively participate in the debate for the articulation of Bulgaria's national goals.

Among the problem areas singled out by Kuneva as priorities for 2012 are tackling the economic crisis, a more vocal and considered position by Bulgaria on deep processes going on in the EU, as well as internal reforms in the country.

"The current center-right GERB cabinet led by PM Boyko Borisov consistently fails to serve citizens in the area of security, the rule of law and the rights of citizens. The policies serve only oligarchs and monopolies," remarked the former consumer protection EU Commissioner.

Kuneva re-entered Bulgarian politics over the summer, when she decided to run as a candidate in the October 23 presidential elections.

Eschewing the support of political parties, she ran as an independent candidate and finished third in the race, gathering 14% of the first round vote.

This led analysts to comment that she has a good basis of support to start a new liberal-rightist political project, something she has said she is not averse to.

Asked Sunday whether the Bulgaria for Citizens civic movement might morph into a party, Kuneva said that this is possible, if circumstances mandate it.

Meglena Kuneva entered Bulgarian politics in 2001, when liberal National Movement for Stability and Prosperity, headed by ex-Tsar Simeon Saxe-Coburg swept to power.

Since 2002, she has been Bulgaria's European Affairs Minister and chief negotiator on EU accession.

Kuneva went on to keep her ministerial position in the next coalition cabinet, led by Bulgarian Socialist Party president Sergey Stanishev.

Upon Bulgaria's entry in the EU in 2007, Kuneva became the country's first European Commissioner, taking care of the the consumer rights portfolio.

Currently she is adviser to European Commissioner for Transport Siim Kallas.

Other allies from the National Movement for Stability and Prosperity, such as former Minister of Education Daniel Valchev, were among the founders of the Bulgaria for Citizens movement Sunday.

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