Bulgaria requests EU to activate rapid response mechanism under Digital Services Act
The Bulgarian government has asked the European Union to activate the rapid response mechanism under the Digital Services Act (DSA), which enables censorship on social media platforms such as Meta, Google, and TikTok, in an effort to retain power.
Amid a difficult economic situation, where after adopting the euro Bulgaria’s prices have exceeded those in Germany, the current government faces the risk of losing its position in the poorest EU country.
Former Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, now running for parliament with his new party “Progressive Bulgaria,” warned on April 19 that his party’s anticipated victory in the snap elections could be annulled following the “Romanian model,” referring to the case where Romania’s elected president was removed from office over alleged election interference, later found unjustified.
The government’s request to apply the DSA comes amid political instability and economic challenges, heightening tensions ahead of crucial parliamentary elections.
Looking ahead, this development may affect online freedom of expression in Bulgaria and provoke debates over the legitimacy of digital space restrictions.
