The Angry Young Men
Our “Grapes of Wrath”
The civil society in Bulgaria erupted days ago in a wave of protests against the monopolies. Monopolies in the economy, and in the political life.
Against the organized crime.
For justice and trust.
Shared concerns.
The spots of blood on the pavement during the unrest and the red roses provided by the protesters for the police ensuring the public order fused in a symbolic logo of our “Grapes of Wrath”.
Claims stemming from the protests – a multitude of youth, senior citizens, people facing disabilities, young mothers – drive to transparency of the governmental decisions; need for adequate policies to tackle poverty and social exclusion; dialogue with the society and citizens’ involvement in supervisory mechanisms where decision-making is at stake. Claims that bring home an encouragement for the respect of fundamental rights.
The dialogue, it is not a tick box exercise. It is a strategy. And its predictability has roots in a multi-annual partnership agreement so that public pressure gives life to accountability and sustainable results.
Citizens claim that policies and priorities should reflect reality. This is what we lack for some policies even on European level. Vision comes when we grasp reality.
Reporting on results now is meeting the reasonable expectations of the society for a fruit-bearing process.
The protesters’ pluralistic views may strengthen the fundament of our otherwise fragile democratic edifice of my country.
Their voices are strong. Are they credible and independent?
I hope…
I wish!
Mariela Baeva
27.02.2013
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