The definitive ideas of political liberalism – individual rights, constitution ­alism, and the market economy – have become universal reference points in democratic politics, and because of that have been largely de-politicised. This situation spells the predicament of the liberal parties: their agenda has become universally accepted, which makes them hardly distinguishable from their main competitors. In Bulgaria, essentially only one party has been successfully institution ­alised as‘liberal’ both in terms of ideology and centrism – NDSV. In terms of positioning, DPS has always been centrist, but in terms of practiced ideology it could hardly be called‘liberal’. There are obviously conditions under which‘liberalism’ as a political ideology could be revived and become successful in electoral contests: the rise of populism in the 2000s also provides an opportunity for liberal parties to consolidate and to create a joint front against attempts to un ­dermine constitutional values. The dominance of mild populism of a centrist type prevents for now the possibility of the emergence of a strong, centrist liberal party(or the revival of existing ones). The immediate chances for the revival of the liberal centre depend on the radicalisation of Bulgarian populism in nationalistic or other illiberal di ­rection. If aggressive populist governments, as the one of Orban in Hungary, appear one might expect a possible consolidation of a liberal alternative. One wonders whether such a development would be a cause for celebration for liberals, however. Maybe it is ultimately better to be a victim of one’s own success and to see your ideas shared – imperfectly or simply strategically as it may be- by a wide spectrum of parties. June 2011