Bulgaria has a new government as of few days, headed by Plamen Oresharski that occurred as a result from the stalemate situation after the May 12 early polls. Neither of the four parliamentary represented parties – GERB, CB, MRF and Ataka has the majority of 121 votes necessary for the formation of its own government. In these times of crisis this provides additional challenges for the Oresharski office and its three main goals: statehood, development and justice. How many and what are those? Political analyst Prof. Georgi Karasimeonov comments for Radio Bulgaria.

“Those are probably many. However, as far as I see from the first messages of the government there is too little financial resource right now for the implementation of more serious reforms, responding to the wish of people. The second serious issue is related to the work of the administration and its quality – perhaps certain changes will be needed there too. The situation with the interior ministry is very serious too – there were several resignations, structural changes are being prepared either. So, it looks there are not too many options and the government should assess seriously its possibilities, compared to the promises, given to people.”

Will the fragile support for the office of Oresharski face any difficulties?

“This is definitely a problem. It will be hard the government to be overturned now, unless Ataka decides to do that. However, I do not see any signs of that kind. On the other hand, I think the other support is the more important one – and I mean the social support with those poll results, with the lack of voters at the sections. The new government and its parties have a very tiny, fragile support from the street. So, it is important the trust of people in institutions to be restored, otherwise more protests and discontent might be forthcoming.”

What is this government – a political, an expert one, or a program office?

“I think this is a sort of a combination with the participation of representatives of the two major supporting parties – Coalition for Bulgaria and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms, including several experts, selected by the pm. It is a program one as far as a certain program is to be implemented, which is partly developed. The name doesn’t mean much actually, we need competence, quick and effective measures and the restored public trust.”

What are the options for the implementation of the major goals of the Oresharski office – statehood, development, justice?

“These sound good, but will require a lot of efforts. As far as statehood is concerned, for instance, there is a lot to do, since people have lost their trust in major institutions, such as the parliament, the government and the parties. So, statehood sounds good, but it has to be displayed first, especially in the sphere of social justice. We will wait and see…”

What is your opinion on the first steps of the government, such as raising the money for maternity and the partial drop of the ban on smoking?

“I have my personal opinion on these issues. As far as smoking is concerned, I have serious reserves, as the majority of the Bulgarians, I think. It looks like some engagements with small business representatives have been taken into consideration here, with restaurant owners perhaps. I am not sure this will be an effective measure. As far as maternity money is concerned, the government wants to show social care with this act. I hope it won’t remain the only one, as a much large-scaled program is to be satisfied. However, I hear from government sources that we can’t expect too much due to the lack of resources…”

Many political scientists think that this government won’t make it through its entire mandate of 4 years. What is your opinion?

“I can’t say much on the reasons of my colleagues and will myself abstain from any concrete prognosis. I remember how they used to foresee 3-4 months for the office of Lyuben Berov /1992 – 1994/ and it made it for a couple of years. However, the first 100 days will be the initial test stage, followed by the first year. I must say that the activities of this government will be assessed very often, as there are many expectations and disappointments. Due to the crisis this cabinet will be assessed every month, every week and every day.”

English version: Zhivko Stanchev