Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Elections 2023

Ventsislav Georgiev, Las Vegas: Corruption is the killer of any ‎development in Bulgaria

Simeon Angelov: Whichever party comes to power, the life of the ‎average Bulgarian does not change

Photo: Maria Samichkova

‎"I have seen the greatest turnout here in the parliamentary elections on ‎April 4, 2021, when nearly 800 Bulgarians voted. Again, this is not a ‎particularly high turnout, given the number of Bulgarian emigrants in ‎Vegas - over 7 thousand, i.e. about 10%. With every next election, the ‎desire to vote decreases," says Ventsislav Georgiev, a member of the election ‎commission, which processes the documents in the Bulgarian bistro ‎where the election in Las Vegas took place, talking to Radio Bulgaria’s ‎collaborator across the ocean, Maria Samichkova.‎


‎"From the Bulgarian politicians, I expect a clear position of Bulgaria ‎regarding the conflict between Russia and the Western world. This is ‎clearly a clash between two value systems, and I would like to know ‎what the exact position will be on this issue, as Bulgaria may be involved ‎in a rather difficult situation regarding the war in Ukraine. 

On the other ‎hand, the fight against corruption is one of the biggest scourges ‎for Bulgarian economy and for the people who live in Bulgaria. We ‎don't feel it here, but when you go to the country, you always face these ‎problems," says our compatriot, who has lived far from his homeland for ‎nearly a quarter of a century. He admits that nostalgia is starting to grow ‎and dreams of being able to return.‎


Simeon Angelov has also been living in the USA for more than two ‎decades. His relatives are in Bulgaria and he votes every time with the ‎hope of changes, because "whichever party comes to power, the life ‎of the average Bulgarian does not change". Will he return to Bulgaria ‎one day?‎

‎"As the father of a family, I would say that if things change one day for ‎the Bulgarian people - yes", our compatriot categorically told Maria ‎Samichkova and Radio Bulgaria.‎


On the territory of the United States, voting was held in 56 polling ‎stations, and the Bulgarian ambassador, Georgi Panayotov, called on ‎the Bulgarians in America to action: "Democracy is based on voter ‎turnout, and I call on all Bulgarian citizens to exercise their right to vote, ‎because in this way their voice will matter. If they don't go vote, they ‎won't be heard." ‎

Compiled by Elena Karkalanova (based on a report by Maria Samichkova)
Photos: Maria Samichkova


Translated and published by Rositsa Petkova


Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Средна оценка: 0 - много неудовлетворен до 10 - много удовлетворен

Eurostat: Bulgarians are the most unhappy EU citizens

Bulgaria ranks last among EU Member States in terms of life satisfaction. This is according to Eurostat data for 2023 published today . With an average level of the Community indicator of 7.3 points out of 10, Bulgaria scores 5.9. Finland tops the..

published on 1/22/25 3:33 PM

The turtle in winter: The Gea Chelonia rescue centre houses over 200 inhabitants

As winter numbs the wilderness, the tortoises hibernate in their shelters, protected from the cold and outside threats. But what happens to them during this time? Where do they feel safest and when can we expect them to wake up?  In the village of..

published on 1/22/25 3:24 PM

Multimedia exhibition takes us into the studios, recalls events and voices related to the history of the Bulgarian National Radio

On January 25 this year, the Bulgarian National Radio will celebrate its 90th anniversary. The celebration will be accompanied by various initiatives, culminating in the ceremony of presenting the Annual Radio Journalism Awards "Sirak..

published on 1/22/25 1:30 PM