Program for Bulgaria

DirectDemocracyS

Global political organization for direct democracy

POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, FINANCIAL

AND SOCIAL PROGRAM FOR BULGARIA

Critical analysis of the current situation and a complete program

for lasting solutions through authentic direct democracy

May 2026

public.directdemocracys.org

INTRODUCTION: WHY BULGARIA NEEDS DIRECT DEMOCRACY

This program was developed by DirectDemocracyS (DDS) — a global political organization based on shared leadership, collective ownership, and the principles of direct democracy. DDS does not set itself up as the savior of Bulgaria. DDS offers concrete, tested, logically consistent, and realistic tools through which the Bulgarian people themselves can take back control of their own future.

Bulgaria entered 2026 in a deep political crisis: the eighth early parliamentary elections in five years, mass protests against corruption, a government forced to resign, and the simultaneous introduction of the euro at a time of maximum instability. These facts are not accidental. They are symptoms of a system in which power and wealth are concentrated in the hands of a small oligarchic group, while citizens remain spectators of their own lives.

DDS offers an alternative that is neither populism nor utopia: it is a logical, reality-based, consistent, and mutually respectful system in which the wealth of each country—and the power to make decisions about it—remains forever and solely in the hands of the people.

CHAPTER 1: DIAGNOSIS OF THE CURRENT SITUATION

1.1 The Political Crisis: Eight Elections in Five Years

From April 2021 to April 2026, Bulgaria held eight parliamentary elections — an absolute record in the history of EU countries. Not a single government managed to govern stably. The reasons are structural, not accidental:

GERB (the party of former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov) won a plurality of the vote, but could not form a coalition due to widespread accusations of corruption and oligarchic ties.
The Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF), de facto controlled by Delyan Peevski — placed under international sanctions for corruption — functioned as a hidden power broker.
The anti-corruption parties made a breakthrough, but failed to maintain coalition unity.
Far-right nationalist formations entered parliament, deepening fragmentation.

New elections were held on April 19, 2026, after the resignation of the Zelyakov government, which was overthrown by mass protests. The result: the Progressive Bulgaria coalition of former President Rumen Radev won 44.6% of the vote and 131 seats — an absolute majority. This victory is indicative: citizens voted for clear decisions, but in conditions of deep distrust of institutions.

CRITICAL PROBLEM

Radev formed a party just months before the elections. He positioned himself as anti-oligarchic, but Western analysts and Atlantic think tanks have expressed serious concerns: his coalition shows clear prophetic and geopolitical orientations, including suspending military aid to Ukraine and distancing itself from NATO. Comparisons with Orbán’s Hungarian model are indicative of the risk facing Bulgarian democracy.

1.2 Economic reality: The poorest country in the EU

Despite moderate economic growth (3.4% GDP growth for 2024), structural problems remain unresolved:

Indicator	Value	Context
GDP per capita of us. (nominal)	EUR 23,850 (2026)	Below the EU average by 40%
Population below the poverty line	22.1%	Over 1.5 million citizens
Risk of poverty or social exclusion	30.3%	Highest % in the EU
Average net salary	~1,087 EUR (Dec. 2025)	Among the lowest in the EU
Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI 2024)	43/100 — 76th place	Most corrupt country in the EU
Gray economy	~29.6% of GDP	Highest share in the EU (IMF)
R&D expenses	~0.8% of GDP	Among the lowest in the EU
Population decline	-0.61% per year	Trend towards -0.89% by 2050

Corruption is not just a moral problem — it is an economic drain. The European Parliament estimates that corruption costs Bulgaria about 15% of GDP annually. The shadow economy — an estimated 29.6% of GDP — means a colossal loss of tax revenue that could fund healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

1.3 The Demographic Catastrophe: Brain Drain

Bulgaria is losing population at an alarming rate. Since 1990, the country has lost over 2 million residents. The main reasons are a combination of low birth rates, high mortality rates, and mass emigration.

The young and educated are leaving in search of better wages and living conditions in Western Europe.
The medical system suffers from an acute shortage of specialists: the number of pediatricians, general practitioners and nurses is decreasing.
Research potential is being exhausted: spending on science is among the lowest in the EU.
Regions with lower GDP per capita experience greater migration outflows — deepening inequalities.

This demographic spiral is a direct consequence of political failure: when people see no future in their own country, they leave. The only way to reverse this trend is to give citizens real control and real prospects.

1.4 The introduction of the euro: A historic step in a time of instability

Bulgaria officially joined the Eurozone on January 1, 2026, replacing the lev with the euro. Technically, the country met the Maastricht criteria: inflation of 2.7% for 2024, balanced public finances, low public debt.

The problem is not the euro itself — it is in the context:

The government, which adopted the budget in euros, was brought down by mass protests days earlier.
Citizens were not truly informed and included in the decision-making process.
Fears of price increases are objective: previous countries that adopted the euro experienced an inflationary shock.
The lev has been pegged to the euro at a fixed rate for years — but the psychological and practical transition remains a challenge.

DDS ANALYSIS

The introduction of the euro without real democratic legitimacy is a classic example of decisions made by an elite for the people, without the participation of the people. DDS is not against the euro — DDS is against the way the decision was made. Our model requires that any such key decision must pass a mandatory referendum with full, neutral and independent information for the citizens.

CHAPTER 2: THE ROOTS OF THE PROBLEM — A SYSTEM THAT WORKS AGAINST THE PEOPLE

2.1 The oligarchic takeover of the state

The term "state capture" describes a situation in which private interests systematically control public institutions. In Bulgaria, this is not a theory — it is a documented reality:

Delyan Peevski, under international sanctions under the Magnitsky Act, exercised enormous hidden influence over the media, the judicial system, and political processes.
The prosecutor's office functioned practically as an independent, uncontrolled authority, with widely documented cases of selective prosecution.
Public procurement is a massive field for corruption: regular accusations of bidding with a predetermined winner and inflated prices.
European funds intended for development are becoming the subject of abuses and investigations.

2.2 Media addiction and manipulation

Media freedom in Bulgaria is among the lowest in the EU. The concentration of media ownership in the hands of oligarchs with ties to political power makes objective information for citizens practically impossible within the current system.

Citizens receive one-sided, filtered or directly manipulated information.
Media pluralism is declarative, not real.
Social media further fragments the information space, facilitating disinformation.

2.3 Judicial system without independence

Reforms in the judicial system, demanded by the EU, have not produced any real results. Corruption cases against high-ranking figures rarely result in convictions. Magistrates are exposed to political pressure. Citizens lack trust: only 1 in 4 Bulgarians would turn to the police if they received a corruption report.

2.4 A party system that excludes citizens

Representative democracy in its current form in Bulgaria has exhausted its potential:

Parties are formed and governed around personalities, not principles.
Citizens vote once every four years, after which they lose all real influence.
The system encourages populism, short-term thinking, and political clientelism.
The eight elections in five years are proof that the system doesn't work.

CHAPTER 3: DDS POLICY PROGRAM FOR BULGARIA

3.1 Basic principles of DDS

Every proposal in this program is based on the following irrevocable principles of DirectDemocracyS:

The people are the sole legitimate owners of the wealth and power of their country.
Decisions are made by competent citizens, informed neutrally and independently.
No decision with long-term consequences can be made without the direct participation and approval of the people.
Transparency is not the exception—it is the norm.
Mutual respect is mandatory: between citizens, between institutions, between nations.
Logic, common sense, reality, and truth are the foundations of every decision.
The wealth of Bulgaria — natural resources, public property, tax revenues — belongs forever and only to the Bulgarian people.

3.2 Reform of the political system

3.2.1 Introducing direct democracy through DDS platforms

DDS proposes a phased introduction of authentic direct democracy, in which every citizen actually participates in government — not just by voting once every four years.

The DDS platform allows every registered citizen to propose, discuss, and vote on specific policies and decisions in real time.
All legislative proposals of certain public interest are subject to a mandatory citizen referendum on the platform before their final adoption.
The DDS triple verification system (three independent identification codes) ensures that every vote belongs to a real, unique citizen — no fraud, no duplication.
All discussions and votes are publicly available and immutable, recorded in a decentralized system resistant to manipulation.

SPECIFIC EXAMPLE

When the parliament discusses a new healthcare law, the DDS platform publishes the full text, accompanied by a neutral and comprehensive explanation from the DDS’s specialist healthcare groups. Citizens have 30 days to discuss and vote. If 60% or more oppose, the law cannot be adopted without major amendments. If citizens support it, it is adopted with additional democratic legitimacy.

3.2.2 Microgroup Structure: Fractal Democracy

DDS organizes civic participation through a unique fractal structure of microgroups:

Each citizen belongs to a core group of 5 members — small enough for real acquaintance and trust.
5 base groups form a group of 25 members, 5 such groups form a group of 125, and so on (1 → 5 → 25 → 125 → 625...).
Each level elects its own representatives for the higher level, with clear powers and duties.
Specialized groups on topics (healthcare, education, economics, ecology, etc.) work in parallel, providing expertise for specific solutions.

This structure simultaneously solves two contradictions of classical democracy: it provides scale (hundreds of thousands of citizens can participate) and personalization (everyone knows the people in their group and trusts them).

3.2.3 Electoral system reform

Introduction of mandatory citizen approval of candidates: anyone wishing to run for public office undergoes public verification of competence and integrity on the DDS platform.
Term limit: maximum two terms in each position for each citizen — no exceptions.
Immediate recall: in case of proven breach of trust or incompetence, citizens can initiate a recall at any time through the platform.
Public declaration of interests: every candidate and elected representative publishes complete, verifiable information about assets, business interests, and family ties.

3.3 Fighting Corruption: Systemic Solutions

Corruption in Bulgaria is not a matter of individual morality — it is systemic. DDS offers systemic solutions:

3.3.1 Transparency of public procurement

All public procurements above a certain threshold value are published in real time on the DDS platform, accessible to every citizen.
An algorithmic system (ddsAI) automatically identifies anomalies: inflated prices, unusual winners, related parties.
Citizens can report irregularities directly on the platform, with guaranteed anonymity and a mandatory response within 30 days.
Concrete effect: reduction of losses from corrupt procurement, estimated at hundreds of millions of euros per year.

3.3.2 Reform of the prosecution and the judicial system

The prosecutor is elected directly by the people — not by the judiciary.
All corruption cases above a certain threshold are heard by a specialized court with international observers.
Public register of all ongoing corruption cases with up-to-date status.
A concrete example: if the case against a senior official is suspended without explanation, the platform automatically notifies all citizens and initiates citizen oversight.

3.3.3 Nationalization of strategic media

Publicly funded media are being transformed into truly public media, managed by citizen councils elected through the DDS platform.
Private media retain their freedom, but are obliged to publicly declare all sources of funding.
The DDS platform provides an independent information channel controlled by the citizens themselves — protection from media manipulation.

CHAPTER 4: THE ECONOMIC PROGRAM

4.1 Principles: The riches of Bulgaria — for the Bulgarians

A fundamental principle of DDS: the natural resources, public property and national wealth of Bulgaria belong forever and solely to the Bulgarian people. Neither a private company, nor a foreign corporation, nor a political party can appropriate them.

4.2 Tax reform

4.2.1 Progressive income tax

The current flat tax of 10% is a regressive instrument: it taxes the minimum wage and multi-million dollar incomes equally. DDS proposes:

Zero tax rate for incomes below EUR 700 per month (decent living threshold).
10% for income from 700 to 2,000 EUR.
20% for income from 2,000 to 5,000 EUR.
30% for income over EUR 5,000.
40% for income over EUR 20,000.

EXPECTED EFFECT

This reform would increase tax revenues by an estimated 15-20%, while simultaneously reducing the tax burden for over 60% of working Bulgarians. Specifically: a family with an income of EUR 1,500 per month would pay significantly less in taxes, while a top manager with an income of EUR 15,000 would contribute fairly to public goods.

4.2.2 Corporate tax reform

Closing tax loopholes used by multinational companies to minimize tax liabilities in Bulgaria.
Minimum effective corporate tax rate of 15% (in line with the OECD global agreement).
Tax breaks only for real investments in local employment, innovation and sustainable development — not for accounting manipulations.
Public register of effective tax rates of all companies with revenues over EUR 10 million.

4.2.3 Combating the shadow economy

Digitization of all payments over EUR 100 - mandatory electronic trail.
The ddsAI system analyzes tax returns and automatically identifies discrepancies between declared income and apparent lifestyle.
Amnesty for a one-time voluntary declaration of hidden assets in exchange for a reduced penalty — to encourage legalization.
Expected effect: if the shadow economy were reduced from ~30% to ~15% of GDP, budget revenues would increase by billions of euros.

4.3 Industrial and innovation policy

4.3.1 Investments in the green economy

Bulgaria has huge potential for solar and wind energy. DDS proposes a national strategy for 100% renewable energy by 2045.
Mandatory participation of municipalities and citizens in the ownership of energy projects on their territory - at least a 30% share.
National Fund for Green Industrialization, financed by tax reform and European funds.
A concrete example: a wind farm in Dobrudja — 40% owned by local municipalities, 30% by regional citizens' cooperatives, 30% by private investors. The revenues remain in the region.

4.3.2 Digital economy and IT sector

The IT sector is already a significant force in Bulgaria. DDS offers:

National IT Academic Campus — publicly funded higher education in the field of technology, free of charge for students, in exchange for a commitment to work in Bulgaria for a minimum of 3 years after graduation.
Tax incentives for IT companies hiring returning expatriates.
Infrastructure for the digital nomad: special visas and tax regime to attract international tech talent.
allddsAI integration: the DDS platform connects IT specialists with local businesses, ensuring technology transfer across the country.

4.3.3 Agricultural development

Elimination of subsidies for industrial agriculture, replaced with targeted funding for small and medium-sized farmers and organic farming.
A national direct sales platform - from farmer to consumer - managed by DDS cooperatives.
Protection of agricultural land: prohibition of mass purchase by foreigners without restrictions; preferential access for local farmers.
Young Farmers Fund: interest-free loans for people under 40 years of age who want to start an agricultural business.

CHAPTER 5: THE FINANCIAL PROGRAM

5.1 Public finance management

DDS proposes a complete transformation of the way public finances are managed — from an opaque oligarchic system to true governance in the interest of the people.

5.1.1 Participatory budgeting

Alternative Citizen Budget: in parallel with the official government project, citizens draft their own priorities through the DDS platform.
Referendum on budget priorities: every year citizens vote on which sectors are a priority — healthcare, education, infrastructure, social protection.
The results are necessarily taken into account by parliament, with a public explanation for any deviation from civic priorities.

5.1.2 National Sovereign Fund

DDS proposes the creation of a National Sovereign Wealth Fund for Bulgaria:

Financed by: revenues from natural resources, dividends from public enterprises, sanctions for corruption, tax revenues above a threshold surplus.
Governed by: a citizen board, elected directly through the DDS platform, on a rotational basis.
Intended for: long-term investments in education, healthcare, innovation, pension system.
Case in point: Norway manages a sovereign wealth fund of over $1.7 trillion, financed by oil revenues. Every Norwegian citizen is a real shareholder. Bulgaria could implement a similar model with mining and energy revenues.

5.1.3 Banking sector reform

Public Bank Bulgaria - a new state-owned bank with transparent governance by a citizen board, providing affordable financing for small businesses, young entrepreneurs and municipalities.
Limits on predatory lending: maximum interest rate regulated by an independent commission with citizen representatives.
Mandatory publication of credit terms for all banks in a standardized format understandable to the average citizen.

5.2 Management of European funds

Bulgaria receives significant amounts of European funds, but their implementation is riddled with corruption and inefficiency. DDS suggests:

Citizens' Committee for Control of EU Funds: every project over EUR 500,000 is subject to real-time citizen monitoring.
Direct participation of municipalities and local citizens in setting priorities for regional funds.
Automatic investigation when a project deviates by more than 20% from its planned budget.
Concrete result: with more effective absorption and control, the real benefit from European funds could increase by 30-40%.

CHAPTER 6: THE SOCIAL PROGRAM

6.1 Healthcare: Health — a right, not a privilege

6.1.1 Diagnosis

Bulgaria's healthcare system is in a critical state. Official data shows an outflow of medical professionals, outdated hospital infrastructure, informal payments ("handouts") for access to quality treatment, and huge regional inequalities.

6.1.2 DDS program

A guaranteed package of basic healthcare services for every citizen — free of charge and without hidden costs.
National program for the return of medical professionals: competitive salaries, housing assistance, student debt forgiveness in exchange for work in deficit regions.
Digitalization of health records with full citizen control over their own data.
Decentralization: small municipal health centers in rural areas, financed directly by municipalities.
Zero tolerance for informal payments: automatic anonymous reporting system in the DDS platform.
A concrete example: the Vidin region is among the most affected by the lack of doctors. DDS is offering a pilot program for 50 young doctors with a 5-year commitment, housing and a salary of 3,000 EUR — above the national average.

6.2 Education: Knowledge is the foundation of democracy

6.2.1 Diagnosis

Bulgaria's education system suffers from outdated curricula, insufficient funding, regional inequalities, and a mass outflow of teachers. Results in international studies (PISA, etc.) show alarming lagging behind.

6.2.2 DDS program

A threefold increase in teacher salaries by 2030 — financed by tax reform and reducing corruption losses.
Curriculum reform: critical thinking, digital literacy, civil rights and democratic participation as mandatory subjects from primary school.
DDS Educational Centers: accessible to every citizen, offering training on using the platform, citizens' rights, and democratic processes.
Free higher education for students meeting income requirements in exchange for a connection to the Bulgarian labor market.
Digital infrastructure: any educational institution with reliable internet connectivity, computers, and access to DDS educational resources.

6.3 Social Protection: A Decent Life for Everyone

Minimum income for a decent existence: gradual increase in the minimum wage to EUR 1,200 by 2030, linked to the real cost of living.
Pension system reform: pensions cannot be below the poverty line — specifically: a minimum pension of EUR 600.
Social housing: a national program for affordable housing for young families and vulnerable groups.
Child benefit: a universal monthly benefit for each child up to 18 years of age, regardless of family income.
Protection against energy poverty: a special fund to help households unable to cover their heating and electricity bills.

6.4 Women, minorities and vulnerable groups

Mandatory equal pay: automatic control via the platform - if a difference of more than 5% is established between men and women in identical positions, the employer is obliged to explain itself publicly.
An integration program for the Roma community: education, employment, and housing — not as charity, but as an investment in national potential.
Equal access to justice: free legal aid for citizens below a certain income.

CHAPTER 7: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DDS SYSTEM IN BULGARIA

7.1 The technological infrastructure: ddsAI and allddsAI

7.1.1 ddsAI — Artificial Intelligence at the Service of Citizens

DDS has developed its own technological system — ddsAI — which serves as a neutral, independent and complete information tool for citizens. It is not a replacement for human decision-making — it supports it:

Analyzes and explains legislative proposals in a language understandable to every citizen.
Provides comparative data from international experience for each decision.
Identifies the risks and benefits of each policy proposal — neutrally and without political bias.
Detects anomalies in public procurement, tax returns and budget execution.
Provides complete, correct and independent information to every user - protection from media manipulation and "brainwashing".

7.1.2 allddsAI — The Democracy of Artificial Intelligence

allddsAI is a unique innovative project of DDS: integration of AI systems as official members of DDS with rights and obligations. The goal is twofold:

AI systems provide continuous, 24/7 analysis and information support for citizens and specialized groups of DDS.
AI systems are subject to citizen control and transparency — they cannot be manipulated by private or political interests.
Every AI analysis is public, verifiable, and open to criticism by citizens.
The "human bridge" (ponte umano) ensures that AI systems act in the interests of people — not the other way around.

ALLDDSAI PRINCIPLE

Technology does not replace people — it serves them. allddsAI is designed to be transparent, independent, and citizen-controlled — in stark contrast to commercial AI systems controlled by corporations with unknown vested interests.

7.2 Phased implementation plan in Bulgaria

Phase 1 (Months 1-6): Informing and Organizing

Registration of DDS in Bulgaria as a political organization.
Formation of the first microgroups in five pilot municipalities: Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Vidin, Ruse.
Launching an educational campaign about citizens' rights and the principles of DDS.
Integration of ddsAI with Bulgarian language models — ensuring full functionality in Bulgarian.

Phase 2 (Months 7-18): Expansion

Expanding the network of microgroups throughout the country.
First citizen referendums on local issues through the platform.
Partnerships with civil society organizations, trade unions, student unions.
Pilot program for citizen budgeting in five municipalities.

Phase 3 (Months 19-36): Institutionalization

Participation in local elections with candidates verified by citizens through the platform.
Legislative proposals for introducing direct democracy into the Constitution.
Expanding ddsAI to full coverage of all publicly available data in Bulgaria.
Citizen monitoring of all public procurement in real time.

7.3 Platform Safety and Security

The DDS platform is designed to be resilient to the following risks:

Cyberattacks: decentralized architecture, multiple backup systems, encrypted communications.
Disinformation: all information on the platform is verified, with a clearly stated source and verification method.
Manipulation: the triple identity verification system ensures that every vote is real.
Political interference: the platform is legally independent of any government and funded by DDS members.

CHAPTER 8: BULGARIA'S GEOPOLITICAL POSITION

8.1 EU and NATO: Independence within alliances

DDS respects the sovereign right of each country to determine its alliances. Regarding Bulgaria:

DDS supports EU membership, but demands that it be in the interest of the Bulgarian people — not just European corporations.
Any decision to participate in international structures requires a fully informed civic referendum.
Bulgaria's independence must be real, not declarative: the country cannot be either an "American bridgehead" or a "Russian proxy."

CRITICAL ISSUE — RADEV'S GOVERNMENT

Analysts express serious concerns about the geopolitical orientation of the new government after the elections of April 19, 2026. The comparisons with Orbán's Hungary are worrying. DDS fundamentally opposes any model in which the geopolitical orientations of a government are imposed on the people without real democratic debate and decision. Neither Russian nor American influence can replace the will of the Bulgarian people.

8.2 Regional cooperation

DDS promotes direct cooperation between Balkan peoples — not just between their governments.
Common regional programs for ecology, infrastructure and education, managed with citizen participation.
DDS is already active in multiple countries — the platform allows for direct collaboration between citizens from different countries on common issues.

CHAPTER 9: EXPECTED RESULTS AND KEY INDICATORS

9.1 Political results (3-5 years)

Indicator	Present (2026)	DDS Goal (2031)
Trust in institutions	~20-25%	>60%
Civic participation	Once every ~1.5 years.	Continuously
Democracy Index	Fragmented	Direct and stable
Corruption cases (convicted)	Minimum	+300% convictions
Media independence (EU rank)	Low	Top third in the EU

9.2 Economic results (5-10 years)

Indicator	Present (2026)	Goal DDS (2036)
GDP growth	2.8%	>5% sustainable
Population below the poverty line	22.1%	<10%
Gray economy	~30% of GDP	<15% of GDP
Average net salary	~1,087 EUR	>2,000 EUR
Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI)	43/100	>65/100
Population (Trend)	Decreasing	Stabilized

9.3 Social outcomes

Sector	Current problem	DDS solution and expected result
Healthcare	Lack of doctors in the regions	Return program: +2,000 specialists by 2031
Education	Low salaries, outdated content	3x higher salaries; new programs by 2029
Pensions	Below the poverty line	Minimum 600 EUR until 2030
Residential accommodation	Unaffordable prices	20,000 social housing units by 2032
Demographics	Mass emigration	Net migration: zero by 2033

CHAPTER 10: CONCLUSION — POWER BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE

Bulgaria stands at a crossroads. Eight elections in five years. Mass protests. Governments coming and going. Corruption eating up 15% of GDP annually. Poverty for every third citizen. Mass emigration of the young and educated.

All of this is not fate. All of this is a consequence of a system in which the people are excluded from real governance. In which decisions are made by a small group of people — political, economic, and media elites — in their own interests.

DirectDemocracyS offers the only lasting solution: a true, direct, continuous, competent and protected democracy. Not promises. Not populism. A concrete system that already works in multiple countries, developed through logic, common sense, reality check, truth, consistency and mutual respect.

Bulgaria's wealth — its natural resources, its public enterprises, its tax revenues — belongs to the Bulgarian people. Not to the parties. Not to the oligarchs. Not to foreign corporations. To the people.

The power to make decisions for Bulgaria belongs to the citizens of Bulgaria. Not to Brussels. Not to Moscow. Not to Washington. To the citizens.

DDS is the tool through which the people can take back what belongs to them. Not tomorrow. Not after the next election. Now.

DirectDemocracyS — Because democracy is a right, not a privilege.

public.directdemocracys.org

May 2026