Friedrich Naumann Foundation Bulgaria and North Macedonia

22/04/2026

❗ A decisive election result ends Bulgaria’s political stalemate of 8 elections in 5 years, but leaves open key questions on governance, reforms, and its role in Europe.
🇧🇬 Bulgaria’s election may mark the end of political deadlock - and the start of a new chapter.
🗳️ A clear majority of 44.6% for Progressive Bulgaria Party, led by Rumen Radev (131 seats, a parliamentary majority) brings the promise of stability, but also uncertainty around reforms, governance, and geopolitical direction.
🇪🇺 The liberal We Continue The Change - Democratic Bulgaria (PP-DB) ended third with 12.6% (37 seats) and remains firmly in parliament, scoring with slightly higher than in the previous elections, and continues to represent a coherent anti-corruption, pro-European, rule-of-law-oriented electorate.

👀 Read the election analysis by Iva Dralcheva, Project Coordinator for FNF Bulgaria 👉 https://bit.ly/4cULNQB

📷 Rumen Radev, Leader of Progressive Bulgaria Party. ©️ Blagoy Kirilov/BTA (PB)

A decisive election result ends Bulgaria’s political stalemate, but leaves open key questions on governance, reforms, and its role in Europe.

17/04/2026

🇧🇬🇪🇺 Special thanks to Svenja Hahn for her support of the We Continue the Change party in light of the elections on 19 April in Bulgaria. She reiterates that we need a Strong Bulgaria in a Strong Europe! Last night in Sofia, Svenja joined the rally of Продължаваме Промяната

"This election is very significant for Bulgaria and for Europe. The choice is clear: defeat corruption, restore the rule of law, and secure Bulgaria’s European future. Hungarians have shown that change through the ballot box is possible. Bulgarians can too.

The ALDE Party – Liberals and Democrats for Europe continues to stand with Асен Василев / Assen Vassilev , Никола Минчев and Nikolai Denkov for progress, democracy, and a pro-European future." shared Svenja Hahn, the President of ALDE and MEP from FDP, Germany.

08/04/2026

🌍 What can Europe learn from Eastern Europe about defending democracy?
After 5 years as Regional Director of FNF East and Southeast Europe and Project Director for FNF Bulgaria and North Macedonia, Martin Kothé shares that freedom is not abstract — it is lived, felt, and defended every day.
💪 From “cool patriotism” in the streets to the resilience of citizens and civil society, the region offers powerful lessons for all of Europe. In times of growing pressure on democratic values, these experiences matter more than ever.
👀 Read the full interview and discover insights on leadership, democracy, and Europe’s future 👉 https://bit.ly/41g9mgh
🔝We thank Martin Kothé for his vision since 2020. We wish him the best of luck for his new posting as Director of FNF Jerusalem office.

Why is Eastern Europe leading the fight for democracy? Resilience, “cool patriotism,” and the challenges shaping Europe’s future. by Matin Kothé, former FNF ESEE Regional Director.

13/03/2026

💙 After 9 years with FNF, we say thank you to Rossitsa Petrova for her dedication and professionalism, as she moves on to the next chapter!

She started as an accountant and later became an auditor, supporting projects across the Regional Office East and Southeast Europe, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Greece, Moldova, and Romania. What she remembers most are the supportive colleagues, inspiring events, and the strong team spirit — from her first days in the Sofia office to memorable team-building moments in Bansko.

🌍 For her, working with FNF meant contributing to values she deeply believes in: freedom, tolerance, and human rights. Rossitsa leaves proud of this chapter in her career — and grateful for the people she worked with along the way. "The FNF and the will always remain in my heart!' she shared.

04/03/2026

💡 What key lessons did you take away from the AOH 2025 Academy? Learn more from an alumna from Bulgaria
💪 ♀️ 10 women. 8 countries. 3 sessions. 1 goal to empower leaders to lead, succeed, survive and thrive in politics. AOH ignites their political ambition into real political power. Discover more about transformative learning journey. The Alliance of Her (AOH) East and Southeast Europe is our flagship female leadership programme. In March, FNF East and Southeast Europe kickstarts AOH 2026 in Bulgaria - stay tuned.
♀ 💪 The time for women to lead in Europe has come. This is her time. And . AOH is an influential community of liberal women and their allies dedicated to ensuring women are in equal power and decision-making, that female leadership is valued, and that liberal women in European politics can thrive.
👏 The Alliance of Her East and Southeast Europe Academy is fully funded and organized by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom for East and Southeast Europe FNF East and Southeast Europe

27/02/2026

💡🇧🇬"Completely unexpected, my internship FNF coincided with the most exciting period in Bulgarian politics in years. The government resigned, snap elections expected. I was really in a perfect position to observe this dynamic situation — explained to me and analysed by our political experts at FNF. I couldn’t have chosen a better time to stay here." shares Göran Ladewig, our fellow, who spent 3 months in Sofia, Bulgaria. Thank you for your insightful contributions to the .

🇩🇪 "From a German perspective, Southeast Europe seems almost like a blind spot. As a result, the plan matured in my mind to get closer to the Balkan region one day. Since I don’t speak any local language, the FNF turned out to be the ideal gateway to access the country, its people and its politics."

Find out more

A time of learning, protests, and white cheese: Get to know our intern Göran Ladewig, who spent three months at the FNF Regional Office for East and Southeast Europe in Sofia.

19/02/2026

🛑 World War I lasted four years and three months. Russia’s war against Ukraine has now been going on for almost just as long. It, too, has changed the world—morally and politically.
🇪🇺 Four Years of the Zeitenwende - a historic turning point. It will continue—and even more than before—to shape politics in Europe. Germany must play a decisive leadership role.
🇺🇦 Discover what’s at stake for Europe, Ukraine and Germany in the analysis of Prof. Dr. Karl-Heinz Paqué Chairman of the Board of Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit and President of Liberal International 👉 https://bit.ly/4aZ4fqg

Ukraine, Russia, Russian war, Russian aggression

03/10/2025

🏆Check out the Graduation Gala of the Alliance of Her. 10 Female Leaders from 8 countries and 9 parties graduated successfully the 2025 AOH East and Southeast Europe Academy. Congratulations - they are ready to lead, succeed, survive and thrive in politics!
💪♀️ The graduation session of the 2025 Class of The Alliance Of Her (AOH) East and Southeast Europe Academy took place over in Varna, Bulgaria. All 3 sessions happpened in Bulgaria! Great to have 2 alumna from Bulgaria from We Continue the Change Party!
💪♀️ AOH ignites her political ambition into real political power. 🏆 She is ready to lead and succeed! The time for women to lead in Europe has come. This is her time. And . AOH is an influential community of liberal women and their allies dedicated to ensuring women are in equal power and decision-making, that female leadership is valued, and that liberal women in European politics can thrive.
👏 The Alliance Of Her East and Southeast Europe Academy is fully funded and organized by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom for East and Southeast Europe FNF East and Southeast Europe
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🏆Check out the Graduation Gala of the Alliance of Her. 10 Female Leaders from 8 countries and 9 parties graduated successfully the 2025 AOH East and Southeast Europe Academy. Congratulations - they are ready to lead, succeed, survive and thrive in politics!
💪♀️ The graduation session of the 2025 Class of The Alliance Of Her (AOH) East and Southeast Europe Academy took place over in Varna, Bulgaria. Special thanks to the trainers, alumni, speakers, organizers, and the whole team!
💪♀️ AOH ignites her political ambition into real political power. 🏆 She is ready to lead and succeed! The time for women to lead in Europe has come. This is her time. And . AOH is an influential community of liberal women and their allies dedicated to ensuring women are in equal power and decision-making, that female leadership is valued, and that liberal women in European politics can thrive.
👏 East and Southeast Europe Academy is fully funded and organized by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom for East and Southeast Europe

19/09/2025

💪 ♀️ “Real change starts with showing up and speaking up- active participation is key” shares Tsvetomira Vakeva from We Continue the Change Party from Bulgaria
🇧🇬 Tsvetomira is an alumna of The Alliance Of Her (AOH) Academy, a flagship leadership programme for women. ♀ 💪 This is her time. And .

💪♀️AOH ignites her political ambition into real political power. She is ready to lead and succeed! The time for women to lead in Europe has come. This is her time. And . AOH is an influential community of liberal women and their allies dedicated to ensuring women are in equal power and decision-making, that female leadership is valued, and that liberal women in European politics can thrive.
👏 The Alliance Of Her East and Southeast Europe Academy is fully funded and organized by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom for East and Southeast Europe. FNF East and Southeast Europe