If some foreigner were to ask the names of world-famous Bulgarians, the first name that would probably spring to mind would be that of football star Hristo Stoichkov. Those with a more intellectual turn of mind would probably come up with the name of Christo, though few people know that Hristo Yavashev is actually Bulgarian.

Just one year from now, this “conversation” would probably turn out different because the chances of the next UN Secretary General coming from Bulgaria are by no means slim. As long as we, Bulgarians stop trying to put a spoke in the wheels.

Bulgaria has not yet made public its nomination for the highest post at the United Nations, even though we have no less than two suitable candidates. UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova made it clear she was ready to stand for the post long ago, all the more so that the Plamen Oresharski cabinet nominated her officially in its very last hours.

The current government, however, is still dragging its feet and has not confirmed the nomination. What is more – another name has cropped up, that of European Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva as potential candidate, though she herself stated she would continue her work at the European Commission, words that are being interpreted as her way of saying she will not be running for the post. The discussions of the Bulgarian nomination have been gathering momentum in the social media for months but as the March deadline approaches, the debate has been taken up by the traditional media as well. At the end of last week, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov gave a laconic answer to reporters’ questions – that the government would meet the end-March nomination deadline and that it is continuing its diplomatic shuttles. ABV party leader Georgi Parvanov threatened to withdraw his party’s support for the cabinet unless Irina Bokova is nominated.

Anyone would think that the UNESCO Director-General is the best possible nomination for the post of Ban Ki-moon. The unwritten rules of the world organization say that the next Secretary General should be from Eastern Europe, and, if possible, should be a woman, so Bokova seems to be the perfect fit. The problem is that the name – Bokova – splits public opinion in Bulgaria down the middle. She comes from a famous family of the communist elite and before the democratic changes, Bokova had all the privileges that go with this in her education and career, privileges that ordinary mortals could never have dreamed of. The political changes of 1989 had no effect on her diplomatic career but critics of 63-year old Bokova say that in 26 years, she never got round to condemning the communist regime in Bulgaria.

Whatever the nomination for Secretary General of the UN, the fact is that society in Bulgaria is split right down the middle. A Bulgarian joke, typical of our national frame of mind goes like this: “The Bulgarian cauldron in hell doesn’t need any devils to guard it; Bulgarians themselves pull back down any soul trying to escape.”

Bulgarian history is riddled with fiascos, and not just on the battlefield, the result of discord and dissension, even though if you take a look at parliament building, you will see the words: “Unity makes strength” written on it. Now, small Bulgaria which has always secretly craved for attention and influence, stands a chance of setting foot on the world political arena. Will the nomination of a UN Secretary General be able to unite us? Are we capable of compromise in the name of a higher objective? Or are we to go on guided by a different motto – every man for himself.

English version: Milena Daynova