Bulgaria and the United States After the Elections: The Road Ahead

Since the fall of communism in Bulgaria in 1989, the country has developed a strong and strategic partnership with the United States. Its joining NATO in 2004 and signing a defense cooperation agreement in 2006 solidified its role as a key US ally in southeastern Europe. The United States has since then provided substantial political and economic support to Bulgaria, which has bolstered its democratization efforts and economic development.

However, Russia and its proxies have consistently sought to undermine Bulgaria’s democratic progress. As Bulgaria and the United States held elections in late 2024, reinforcing their partnership is more critical than ever to counter democratic backsliding and Kremlin influence in the Black Sea region. At the same time, with the second Trump administration about to take office, questions arise about Washington’s future approach toward Central and Eastern Europe and, in particular, Bulgaria.

This event will address key questions including: What are the respective domestic and political contexts for bilateral relations following the two elections? How might the election outcomes shape relations? What are the implications for democracy and security in the Black Sea region? How can the United States effectively support democratic resilience in Bulgaria? What role does civil society play in supporting democratic institutions? What coordinated actions can Sofia and Washington take to combat Russian influence?

Please join us on January 16 to explore these pressing issues and to discuss opportunities for Bulgarian-US collaboration.

For more information, please contact Dimitar Keranov: [email protected].

The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) is a nonpartisan policy organization committed to the idea that the United States and Europe are stronger together.