The development and interaction of Political Parties and civil Associations in Post-Communist Bulgaria and Romania.

Bulgaria and Romania have common post-communist turning points but their post-communist history has differences. In Bulgaria the main characteristic of the first post-communist decade was the governmental instability, with eight governments from 1989 to 1997 and of the second decade is the appearance of new parties. In Romania it took almost seven years for the opposition to really cooperate and take office. However, Romanians brought again into power the former party and gave their support to a nationalist, far rightist party. The last elections and the one percentage difference between the two main rivals showed that Romania returns to a bipolar system. However, both countries have a consolidated party system, which is characterized by co-operations, alliances, splits and betrayal. Their civil society does exist and Bulgaria and Romania are members of the same organizations, financed by the same foreign donors and cooperating with other broader organizations