As a Bulgarian, I did not take offense to Vance’s speech. Quite the opposite. His criticisms simply do not reflect the realities of my country or those of our Central and Eastern European neighbors. While Western Europe spirals into chaos due to its self-inflicted policies, nations like Bulgaria, Hungary, and Poland have emerged as islands of normality, committed to sovereignty, conservative values, and common sense governance.
For years, Bulgaria has had zero illegal migration—just like Hungary and Poland. Despite being Europe’s oldest national state, we have upheld a deep-rooted tradition of liberty, tolerance, and coexistence.
Nowhere is this clearer than in the heart of our capital, Sofia, where a church, a mosque, a synagogue, and a Catholic cathedral stand just 200 meters apart. We do not experience antisemitism, pro-Hamas protests, or hate crimes based on race or religion.
Unlike in the West, there are no "no-go zones," where citizens fear walking in their own cities. Our streets are safe, our crime rates stable, and there has not been a single terrorist attack carried out by illegal migrants.
We also maintain strong border security. While the European Commission criticizes Hungary and Bulgaria for taking a tough stance on illegal migration, our countries have successfully prevented the social unrest and rising crime seen in Western European capitals. We have proven that strong borders protect national stability—something Western leaders refuse to acknowledge.
Beyond security, we enjoy freedom of speech and free elections. Unlike in parts of Western Europe, where conservative voices are censored under the guise of "misinformation" or "hate speech," Bulgaria allows open debate. While our media landscape is polarized, all viewpoints are available, and Bulgarians can freely access different perspectives online and on television.
Elections in Bulgaria are decided by the voters, not by outside interference. We have never canceled or postponed elections for political convenience. Though past U.S. diplomatic pressure has attempted to influence Bulgarian politics, our democratic process has remained intact. Unlike in parts of the West, where establishment elites manipulate electoral processes, we have seen multiple political parties rise and fall, solely at the will of the electorate.
Financially, Bulgaria leads Europe in conservative economic management. Since 2009, we have consistently maintained the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the EU. Unlike Western nations burdened by reckless public spending, welfare expansion, and crushing taxation, Bulgaria has prioritized fiscal responsibility. The result? A stable economy, free from the looming debt crises that threaten much of the West.
Bulgaria and Hungary are not just economic success stories; they are also among NATO’s most reliable members. While Western European nations fail to meet their defense spending obligations, Bulgaria has exceeded NATO’s 2% GDP target, currently investing over 3% in defense.
We have purchased two fleets of F-16 Block 70 fighter jets from the U.S., along with substantial investments in naval and armored capabilities. The U.S. alone has invested over $200 million in Bulgarian defense in the last decade, strengthening NATO’s Eastern Flank and Black Sea security.
Hungary follows a similar trajectory. Under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s leadership, Hungary has become a European economic powerhouse, attracting significant foreign investment in the automotive and EV sectors. More importantly, it has maintained strong national security—zero illegal migration, low crime rates, and an unwavering commitment to sovereignty. Unlike in the West, where lawlessness and political correctness have weakened state authority, Hungary remains a country where law and order still mean something.
It is no coincidence that Central and Eastern European nations show the highest levels of support for President Trump and his new administration. Recent polling reveals that 26% of Bulgarians and 17% of Hungarians believe Trump will achieve peace in Ukraine. Additionally, 15% of Bulgarians and 35% of Hungarians are convinced he will outperform Biden. In contrast, the strongest disapproval of Trump comes from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, and France—the same progressive, liberal, and weak societies that have driven Western Europe into decline.
The fall of communism redefined Europe’s power dynamics. Once, the West was seen as the beacon of freedom, strength, and prosperity. Today, that perception has flipped. The real strong leaders—Orbán, Giorgia Meloni, Andrej Babiš, Boyko Borissov, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and even Recep Tayyip Erdoğan—are now in the East. They stand against open borders, gender ideology, and the reckless social policies that have eroded Western stability. Meanwhile, Western Europe is drowning in suicidal green policies, endless regulations, and bloated welfare systems that are crushing their economies.
JD Vance was right. The vast majority of the West is weak. But rather than attacking American politicians for pointing out these uncomfortable truths, Western Europe should take action.
It must secure its borders, cut wasteful spending, and invest in defense. It must restore law and order, prioritize national sovereignty, and abandon the radical progressive ideologies that have turned its cities into unsafe, unstable, and unsustainable dystopias.
Failure to do so will lead to collapse. And when that collapse comes, it will not be the fault of JD Vance or any other American politician. It will be the fault of Western Europe’s own leaders, who refused to act when they still had the chance.
George Harizanov is the CEO of the Institute for Right-Wing Policies in Sofia, Bulgaria. He is on X @GeorgeHarizanov
