The PES foundation committed to supporting the BSP's ideological discussion and staff training after a meeting with Vigenin and Penkova

Laszlo Andor, Secretary General of the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS), and Anja Sipek, Director for Research and Training, briefed the Socialist MEPs Kristian Vigenin and Tsvetelina Penkova on the priorities for 2025, among which are building a stronger and more autonomous Europe, promoting social resilience and equality, and defending democratic values.

Among the main topics discussed were the future of social democracy, democratic representation and citizen participation. Both sides stressed the need to renew the ideological foundation of socialist and social democratic parties in Europe. FEPS expressed its commitment to supporting research, training and initiatives aimed at strengthening the role of progressive forces in the region and in Bulgaria in particular. Strategies were discussed for countering far-right rhetoric, increasing citizen engagement and promoting institutional reforms to strengthen democracy. FEPS produces a range of studies and policy recommendations, and offered the Bulgarian Socialist MEPs opportunities for cooperation on the questions of fighting inequalities and improving public services.

FEPS’s assessment of the renewal of the left

The FEPS representatives gave a positive assessment of the process of renewal and unification of the Bulgarian left begun by the BSP in the summer. In this connection they undertook to provide analytical resources, training opportunities and networking platforms in order to support the socialists in their efforts to restore trust in the left in Bulgaria.