Eurasia Press & News
“The demise of three east European governments in six weeks suggests the region faces instability at a time when strong governments are needed,” the Financial Times wrote, commenting on the political situation in Eastern Europe.
It points out that Bulgaria may see turmoil, though on a less dramatic scale, with the Socialist administration facing likely defeat in parliamentary elections this summer because of a poor anti-corruption record and economic distress.
“With the moderate centre-right groupings weak, the likely election winner is Gerb, the anti-corruption party led by Sofia mayor Boyko Borisov,” the Financial Times forecasts.
According to the article the demise of the Czech government had little to do with the economy and everything to do with political weakness. Mirek Topolanek, the centre-right prime minister, had a majority of just one in the 200-seat parliament. He survived four no-confidence votes before falling to a fifth, called by the Social Democrat opposition over a vote-buying scandal.
Hungary and Latvia are more worrying, since they both entered the global crisis with home-grown economic difficulties, have needed EU/International Monetary Fund rescues and may face deep recessions.
