Political scientist Strahil Deliyski expressed surprise at Kiril Petkov's decision to step down from We Continue the Change. Petkov had acted differently just days before his resignation announcement. The move seemed unusual for someone known for his typical behavior patterns. Deliyski noted that the resignation followed certain political logic despite appearing unexpected. The party operates more like a business startup than a traditional political organization.
We Continue the Change never developed into a proper party with clear goals and structure. The group remained at startup level seeking to achieve specific interests through crowdfunding and sponsors. When problems arise with satisfying sponsor interests, creators often abandon or sell such ventures. The party lacks the foundation needed for lasting political success. Deliyski compared this situation to a failing business rather than a political movement.
Fighting corruption cannot serve as the main political cause for any party. Every Bulgarian politician promises to combat corruption when seeking power. The party founders used business thinking instead of political strategy. Deliyski sees no way for the party to continue functioning or improve its current state. Assen Vassilev lacks the ability to carry the entire burden after Petkov's departure.
The scandal involves public contracts where companies return money to officials who awarded them work. This represents classic corruption within the neoliberal state system where private interests control public resources. Politicians depend more on sponsors than voters under this arrangement. The public-private partnership model creates inherent corruption opportunities. Private mechanisms operating in public spaces naturally produce these problems.
We Continue the Change claimed to be different from corrupt parties but operates under the same system. GERB never claimed absolute purity and followed a maybe they steal but they work approach. The startup promised different methods but discovered the system functions only one way. When parties claim to be pure fighters against corruption, voters judge them more harshly. Other parties receive forgiveness because they never made such claims.
We Continue the Change never developed into a proper party with clear goals and structure. The group remained at startup level seeking to achieve specific interests through crowdfunding and sponsors. When problems arise with satisfying sponsor interests, creators often abandon or sell such ventures. The party lacks the foundation needed for lasting political success. Deliyski compared this situation to a failing business rather than a political movement.
Fighting corruption cannot serve as the main political cause for any party. Every Bulgarian politician promises to combat corruption when seeking power. The party founders used business thinking instead of political strategy. Deliyski sees no way for the party to continue functioning or improve its current state. Assen Vassilev lacks the ability to carry the entire burden after Petkov's departure.
The scandal involves public contracts where companies return money to officials who awarded them work. This represents classic corruption within the neoliberal state system where private interests control public resources. Politicians depend more on sponsors than voters under this arrangement. The public-private partnership model creates inherent corruption opportunities. Private mechanisms operating in public spaces naturally produce these problems.
We Continue the Change claimed to be different from corrupt parties but operates under the same system. GERB never claimed absolute purity and followed a maybe they steal but they work approach. The startup promised different methods but discovered the system functions only one way. When parties claim to be pure fighters against corruption, voters judge them more harshly. Other parties receive forgiveness because they never made such claims.
