have forced the ruling Bulgarian Socialist Party to bring forward the next elections. This is however no victory for the working people or for the fight for democracy. DUNCAN CHAPEL reports The right-wing Union of Democrauc forces copied the recent tac. tic of the Serbian opposition's demonstrations outside parlia. ment. But in contrast to the ruling ¿ Serbian party's rigging of recent local elections, the coalition led by the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) was democratically elected.
Despite its "socialis:" label the BSP follows IMF plans for capitalally based on the middle class, places more emphasis on handing land and property back to the descendants of pre-war capitalists and landowners. ity in 1991 having won the powerful position of president the year before. However its preoccupation with restoring land, homes and fac tories to the old ruling class meant it was mattercat to tae necas of soci ety and the economy. Following a voic or no connacace in 1992. the UDF were replaced by a broadlysupported technocratic "government of experts".
Attempting to press ahead with ausierity policies and privatisa. tions, the new government met with strong tance. By 1994 the rate of inflation was 96 per cent and unemployment hit 13 percent. Over 800,000 took part in four dayso! reneral strike ac tion led by the CITUB union fedcration.
As the crisis developed the UDF started to boycott the parliament, believing it could distance itself from the crisis. he UD: backed President, Zhelyu Zhelev started to frustrate the governments plans and in September 1994 it resigned.
New elections led to a threeparty coalition comprising the Agrarian Party, Ecoglasnost, the BSP as the senior partner. The new government attempted to pursue the rapid privatisation projects demanded by Bulgaria's western Centre for privatisation Following the visit of a top level US team, headed by President Clinton, carly in 1995, the BSP an. nounced the creation of a "sociallyoriented market economy". "Centre for Mass Privatisation" began to organise a Czech-style giveaway or state assets with the govern. ment retaining a third of all shares. Simultaneously spending on defence was increased and social spending cut.
The BSP's initial success in developing the capitalist sector was not inconsiderable. During 1995 sowin mercasca by su per cent; exports grew by 30 per cent while unemployment fell by 18 per cent. But pro-US forces were alarmed when the BSP began to move away from the goals of the west and develop stronger unks with olber Eastern economies. The coalition devel. oped plans for an oil pipeline to the cast and for co-ordinated defence producuon with Kussia.
The popularity of these policies was confirmed in 1995 with a resounding victory for the BSP in lo. cal mayoral elections. Out of the 255 mayors elected, 195 were BSP. The UDF won only 26 positions but this included the capital, Sophia.
The confidence of the people has not been shared by Western capitalism. Aid has been cut from 55.6 per cent of imports in 1994 to 3.7 per cent this year. Inflation soared in 1996 as the cconomic crisis deep. ened. When the IMF refused aid the coalition was forced to increase the pace of unpopular privatisation and closure plans. As a result the BSP's support fell away.
In December last year the the UDF retained the presidency with a new candidate, Peter Stoyanou. In the BSP discontent has come to a head. A triumphant opposition allied to the trade unions is preparing to stand in parliamentary elections The UDFs presidential victory allowed it to build January's demonstrations, calling for the BSP-led coalition to resign. In all likelihood the 60 per cent vote for the UDF in the presidential elections does not indicate popular support for its middle-class base. Faced with the BSP's austerity politics the workers and farmers have turned to the only credible alternative. However a UDI govemment could only ne worse.
Bulgarian trade union opposicon needs to stand firmly against the privatisations and prevent workers being ciected from their homes, factories and farms. By leading the struggle against this legal theft and against the pro-capitalist ponucians, tac new Icil can win majority support.
Geoff Ryan WOI • OUTLOOK IS