Revival’s electoral success is due to various reasons—one being voters’ general disillusionment with political corruption in Bulgaria. Yet, the fact that many are receptive to its calls for normalizing relations with Russia should not be discounted. The party has also made inroads due to its apprehension of Sofia’s impending adoption of the euro, a sentiment shared by a large swath of the Bulgarian population. It has previously called for a referendum on the country’s membership in NATO. It is very skeptical of the current conditions imposed on Sofia by its status as an EU member state. The movement also opposes hostile state action against Moscow’s energy trade with Sofia.

Nonetheless, the Bulgarian government’s decision to crack down on Lukoil will likely be welcome news among transatlantic leadership as they reflect on its potential to hinder Moscow economically. There is sure to be coordination between Sofia and Brussels (as well as Washington) in discussing how to transition the country from Russian energy without inflicting high costs on the populace. But as the growth of a party like Revival demonstrates, the ancillary pain of maintaining the anti-Moscow front per broader Euro-Atlantic strategy can be a strong catalyst for opposition.

Europhile politicians are known for their willingness to sacrifice national sovereignty and commit their respective countries to bear the cost of increased economic interdependence and the spread of liberal values. However, there undoubtedly comes a point when national citizenries lose patience for the ideological zeal of their leaders. Revival’s success—and potential future success—suggests that their grievances deserve to be examined, at the very least. They are certainly not alone in their opposition to the cultural homogeneity and uniform policy positions pushed down from Brussels and elsewhere, which seems only to be growing.

Writing off the increasing popularity of such opposition movements as the mere result of “Russian propaganda” or disinformation campaigns—as Western mainstream outlets seem to want to do—is not only disingenuous but ensures that these groups continue to garner greater success.

Dominick Sansone is a PhD student at the Hillsdale College Van Andel Graduate School of Statesmanship. He writes frequently on international relations and U.S. foreign policy. His work has been featured at the National Interest, The American Conservative, and RealClear Defense, among other outlets.

Image: Shutterstock.com.