site.btaSchengen Entry - Crumbs from the EU Table: Vazrazhdane MP Tsveta Rangelova

In an interview with the national radio, MP of Vazrazhdane Tsveta Rangelova said that the news of Bulgaria's entry into Schengen from 2025 is not a reason for joy, but a sign of deepening problems.

"We practically got the crumbs from the Schengen table," she said on air. "Countries like Germany, France, and the Netherlands, which are the engines of the EU, are reintroducing border controls, while we are becoming the first external border. This means that all the migration problems will fall on us," she added.

In the National Assembly, the news of the country's accession to the Schengen area sparked controversial reactions. According to Rangelova, Bulgaria’s entry into Schengen is presented by the government as a success, but the reality is different. "After 17 years in the EU, we were accepted late and the only thing we will get are the obligations. The first registration of every illegal migrant will be done in Bulgaria. This condemns us to becoming a huge refugee centre," the MP told BNR.

Rangelova drew attention to the growing migration pressure from the Middle East and the lack of adequate protection at the Bulgarian borders. "The fact that we cannot protect our own borders has led to a situation where foreign countries like Romania will deploy their police forces to help us. This does not speak of stability, but the opposite," she said.

Asked about the benefits of Schengen for businesses and citizens, Rangelova was sceptical: "Yes, we will be able to travel more easily to Greece, but what about the other borders? There will be border control to Romania for at least another six months. And to Germany, the Netherlands and Austria - border control remains. Is this the success everyone is talking about?"

According to Vazrazhdane, the road to Schengen should not be measured only by business benefits, but by guarantees for national security and stability, which are currently lacking.