The results from the elections for EU Parliament held in Bulgaria show significant changes in the country’s political picture. In fact, the European elections tested the political stability in Bulgaria and the fragile Parliamentary support towards the current cabinet. What is the situation today? “Early Parliamentary elections are knocking on our door. The ruling parties should consider resignation”, comments for Radio Bulgaria Professor Georgi Bliznashki and adds:

“Undoubtedly a new political situation emerged in Bulgaria after the European elections. This would inevitably reflect over the political developments in this country. Apparently the opposition GERB party has won convincingly at these elections, although this political party was under huge pressure over the past year. The party managed to survive and gain a substantial social support. Unfortunately, the Bulgarian Socialist Party which holds the mandate of the current government had impossible goals. It was overpowered by the will for revenge of its current leader Sergey Stanishev and was eventually punished by the Bulgarian voters. This crisis perhaps gives the party the opportunity to start a new policy line. It looks like the current government is unable to attract enough social support, in order to continue to govern the country. The sooner Bulgaria holds early Parliamentary elections, the better. The results of the European elections could trigger a new wave of social discontent against the current government, because the Bulgarian power engineering sector is likely to suffer heavy concussions. Fundamental companies in this sphere are on the verge of bankruptcy which means a catastrophe in the power engineering sector. The healthcare system is also in a very bad state. Many problems in this sphere were hidden from the society before the elections. However, people will learn about many problems by the end of the year. If the ruling parties show stubbornness, they will crash in any future elections together with the country, too. We should not allow this scenario, because of the stubbornness of a clan which serves the local oligarchy”, says Georgi Bliznashki.

How do you assess the new political project Bulgaria without Censorship and the high results achieved by the Movement for Rights and Freedoms?

“The Movement for rights and Freedoms managed to receive its traditional support. Unlike the Bulgarian Socialist Party, the MRF managed to deal with the situation. The MRF achieved its goals in terms of electoral support. That is why I initiated a referendum aimed at changing the election rules and implementing the mandatory voting. The latter would reduce sharply the influence of this political party. However, there is a firm resistance against this idea at present. With regard to Bulgaria without Censorship party, I would say that it was established with a lot of finance. We are yet to see how firm its electoral support is. This party offers a little bit of everything to everyone and promises people to solve all their problems with one blow. However everyone who deals with politics knows that this is practically impossible. So, this party is yet to face the political and social reality in Bulgaria. Let us wish them luck and may they do their best.”

Is higher skepticism in Europe going to influence Bulgaria?

“It is already influencing this country. I was quite surprised by the constant attacks against Europe. With regard to the Bulgarian skeptics, they will not manage to meet their goals. Bulgaria is in the periphery of the EU and this country is always under suspicion. Many think Bulgaria is Russia’s Trojan Horse to the EU. Many people in Bulgaria are yet to find out how difficult is to make policy at a European level. Europe pays attention to arguments, good contacts and the ability of the politicians to persuade others. So, it will eventually neglect the behavior of some local politicians. European politics demand a different type of political behavior”, concludes Professor Georgi Bliznashki.

English version: Kostadin Atanasov