Several theories have been raised as to why the name of Simeon Saxe-Coburg has been drawn in to allegations that his cousin, Victor Emmanuel, was involved in various forms of impropriety.
All, in one way or another, have to do with politics. An obvious one is that the mentions were made to neutralise Saxe-Coburg, formerly Bulgaria’s king and formerly its prime minister, as a possible presidential candidate. It is difficult to imagine why Italian investigators would allow themselves to be involved in a political stunt like this.
It also has been suggested that the allegations have been raised as a part of a continuing campaign to discredit Bulgaria and thus to bar its entry into the European Union. Again, it is not clear why the Italian authorities would want to play along with such a stunt.
Saxe-Coburg is among those who have vehemently rejected the notion that the allegations could impede Bulgaria’s progress to EU membership. In a fair world, they would not, but this is not a fair world, and few in the international media have failed to point out that Saxe-Coburg not only is a former prime minister, but the party that bears his name continues to be part of the tripartite ruling coalition. So the media reports cannot help Bulgaria’s image, to say the least.
Of course, everything on the subject that has been reported so far remains at the level of allegations. That something is being investigated does not, in any country that has a properly functioning system of investigation and courts, mean that it is true. All those who are the subject of the allegations deserve the presumption of innocence unless guilt is proven in court.
Not that this is happening, either, given the responses by those who seek to use the matter for their own political advantage. Those seeking partisan political gain may be said to be poaching on the royal estate.
Given the damage done by the allegations having emerged in public before having the chance to be properly formulated and tested in court, the question now arises about the optimum responses by Bulgaria, by the Cabinet, and by Saxe-Coburg.
In parallel with the work being done by Italian investigators, Bulgaria needs to devote all resources required to fully probe the matter. The allegations are serious, and going by media reports, there are reported incidents and conversations that require proper explanation. A thorough investigation is unquestionably overdue, especially in the light of the saga of the parliamentary probe into the granting to Saxe-Coburg of estates that he claimed under post-communist property restitution laws. Has he poached estates that were never really royal, given differences of opinion as to whether they belong rightfully to his family or to the state as successor to the crown? This lingering question must be answered through the use of the best investigators and most reputable legal minds available, and as soon as possible.
Similarly, Bulgaria’s Prosecutor-General and any other relevant authorities, including a special multi-party committee of Parliament, should launch as soon as possible a fully-resourced investigation on Bulgarian territory of all matters in which Saxe-Coburg’s name has been mentioned. Saxe-Coburg has said that he would co-operate with any investigation, and must be seen to do so as fully and swiftly as possible.
He has said that he would welcome the opportunity to clear his name as soon as possible.
This, however, is not the most important priority. The most important priority is for Bulgaria to conduct itself in such a way as to, whatever the outcome of an investigation, confirm the credentials of the name of this country.
