Bulgaria's case was putting the credibility of EU enlargement at stake: Brussels needed to send a message to those arguing
against further expansion and to candidates banging on the door, including Croatia, Serbia, Albania, and Turkey. Just last
month, EU officials warned Croatia that its failure to crack down on organized crime and corruption jeopardizes its chance
to join the EU next year.
"Brussels needed to get serious, to show they're not just taking a country's word for fighting corruption," says Katinka Barysch,
deputy director of the Center for European Reform in London. "If they can't do that with Bulgaria, how are you going to do
that with the countries still queuing outside?"
In late November, Brussels slapped Sofia with an unprecedented penalty, withdrawing €220 million ($315 million) in development
assistance – less than the initial threat of €500 million, but still a huge sum for the poorest EU member.