Bulgaria to open communist-era files

Bulgaria to open communist-era files

EU newcomer Bulgaria will hold its first elections for the European Parliament on May 20.

In the long run, the commission is expected to open the files of all public figures — politicians, senior public officials, magistrates and journalists.

In December, parliament adopted a law providing for the opening of the archives. The legislation includes no sanctions against those found to be former agents, such as stripping them of public office, but only makes their past public.

Thursday's election was preceded by weeks of partisan disputes. In the end, it was decided that seven of the panel members, including its chairman, should come from parties of the ruling center-left coalition, while only two members were backed by oppositional parties.

The delay in implementing the law suggests a protracted process of declassification and disclosure.

Bulgaria is one of the last former communist nations to tackle the historical records of its past. Other countries with former communist regimes, including Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland and Romania, have already taken measures to open communist-era secret files.