ATTITUDES TOWARDS REFUGEES: CHALLENGES AND NO (TOLERANCE)

Abstract

This report presents the author's attempt to analyze the attitude of Bulgarians towards refugees and the extent to which state institutions are prepared to adequately address the problem of integration of these persons into the country. Migration processes are not a new phenomenon for Bulgaria and for Europe, where long-standing traditions of co-existence with different immigrant communities exist, in countries such as Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and others. In recent years, a number of European countries have been confronted with a number of challenges posed by the huge refugee wave. Issues related to the integration of these communities have proved to be a politically sensitive topic across Europe, highlighting the need to debate common European models of acceptance and inclusion. The underlying principles for an EU policy on the integration of immigrants argue that integration is a bilateral process that requires the participation of both immigrants and host societies. In this context, the report also examines the tolerance of the host Bulgarian society towards refugees. It is a well-known fact that migration flows can often lead to a change in the traditional labor market, on the one hand, and, on the other, to the accumulation of risks to the country's security, such as terrorism, human trafficking, etc. There is a wealth of research that registers the growing concern about preserving cultural identity, the stability of the economic order, preserving the values of democracy and legitimacy. In this context, studies have identified a number of areas that are perceived as problematic, most often of concern and generating public fear. It is fear that is the emotional motivating factor, provoked by the potential danger of job loss and social benefits, erosion of national identity, etc. It is also important to analyze the views of local authorities on issues related to the integration of these persons in the country. Although there has been a significant decline in refugee flows since 2018, the problem of their inclusion has not yet been resolved and no one can guarantee that the situation will not surprisingly escalate again in the near or distant future. Based on a secondary analysis of in-depth interviews and focus group discussions within the project "Refugees in the Ideas of Bulgarians: Fears, Understanding and Compassion", an attempt will be made to answer the questions raised above.