A European Conference on Protecting Democracy
In an era of constant disruption, driven by technological change, war, and global power competition, the Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD) hosted a high-level international conference titled “Defending Democracy in an Age of Disruption.”
Held on 11 November 2025 in Sofia, Bulgaria, the event gathered European policymakers, diplomats, academics, and civic leaders to discuss how Europe can protect its democratic foundations while adapting to the challenges of the digital and geopolitical age.
Opening Session: Building Democratic Resilience
The conference opened with Rosen Zhelyazkov, Prime Minister of Bulgaria, and Ingrid Schulerud, Norway’s Special Representative on Democracy and Rule of Law. Both emphasised that defending democracy requires not only strong institutions but also active civic engagement, free media, and social resilience.
A dialogue between Claire Craanen, Deputy Spokesperson of NATO, and Todor Tagarev, Bulgaria’s Minister of Defence (2023–2024), examined Europe’s collective defence and the reason why democratic nations stand together and how shared values remain the strongest deterrent to aggression.
Civic Space and Human Rights Under Pressure
A central theme of the day was the protection of civic space.
Sirpa Rautio from the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights and Velislava Delcheva, Bulgaria’s Ombudsman, discussed how civil-society organisations and human-rights defenders can stay resilient amid rising authoritarian trends across Europe.
Preventing State Capture and Strengthening Accountability
Another key panel, Securing Democracy and Preventing State Capture, explored how corruption and disinformation undermine democratic governance.
Daniel Mitov, Bulgaria’s Minister of Interior, outlined needed institutional reforms, while Iliana Ivanova of the European Court of Auditors and Krum Zarkov, former Minister of Justice, discussed mechanisms to ensure transparency and citizen oversight - core pillars of democratic accountability.
Technology, AI, and the Silicon Shield
Technology’s double-edged influence on democracy was analysed by Changick Kim of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and Dobroslav Dimitrov, CEO of Raisen Technology, moderated by Lilyana Pavlova, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank.
They called for a “silicon shield” - policies that combine innovation and artificial intelligence governance to protect democratic institutions while fostering digital progress.
Energy, Economy, and Critical Raw Materials
Energy sovereignty and climate security were highlighted as vital elements of Europe’s democratic resilience.
Zhecho Stankov, Bulgaria’s Minister of Energy, explained how the continent’s shift toward renewable sources reduces dependence and reinforces political autonomy.
Later, Doncho Barbalov, Bulgaria’s Deputy Minister and Minister of Economy and Industry, and Svetoslav Georgiev of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences addressed critical raw materials as the new frontier of geoeconomic competition, urging coordinated EU strategies to safeguard supply chains and democratic economies.
Local Democracy and Environmental Justice
Closing the event, Vasil Terziev, Mayor of Sofia, and Elitsa Panayotova of the Clean Air Fund brought the discussion to the local level, showing how inclusive urban policies and environmental justice can bridge social divides and strengthen trust in democratic governance.
A Shared European Mission
Throughout the conference, participants agreed on a unifying message - defending democracy requires both vigilance and vision.
In an age of AI, energy transition, and shifting global alliances, Europe’s democratic model must evolve without losing its core values - openness, rule of law, and human dignity.
From local communities to European institutions, the defence of democracy is a shared responsibility, and, as the Sofia conference demonstrated, one that Europe’s leaders are ready to uphold.
