In recent months, we have observed a lack of political logic in the actions of the parties. The reasons are several – fear of losing voters or of losing positions during the local elections in October. However, all these actions or inactions of the elected people’s representatives in the parliament are to the detriment of the Bulgarian society.
Will the normal conversation in politics return and will the interests of the Bulgarian citizens be preserved? We discuss these and other questions with political expert Georgi Kiryakov. He told Iskra.bg:
“The problem is that the parties are currently acting out of their own fear of losing voters. They do not look at what is useful for society, what important and key decisions should be made for Bulgaria, for its future, but think whether they will lose 1-2 or 10,000 voters, which is ridiculous. That’s why I often criticize them lately because of the lack of basic political logic in their actions. Their political thinking is closed only and only within the framework of accounts – we will lose, we will win. What is important for the party at this stage, what is important for the leaders, what image will they get if we accept or not accept a given coalition, which irritates the public extremely much.”
“At the moment, the parties are hindering the work of the parliament, but they also open the possibility of increasing the influence of the Revival party in Bulgarian politics. The reason is that anger always leads to some desire in people to support such radical leaders, with radical ideas, with radical platforms and radical actions. I have already heard all kinds of idiocy from the „Vazrazhdane“ party: „We will deal with our political opponents, we know what we will do against the traitors of the Bulgarian national interest, whatever that means”, Kiryakov stressed.
According to the political expert, society is very critical and negative towards the parties and the decisions they make at this stage. According to him, all formations risk losing support, even from their own voters.
Georgi Kiryakov also commented on the election of GERB as the party’s prime minister candidate:
“Whether it’s Maria Gabriel, Daniel Mitov, Prof. Anastas Gerdzhikov or Prof. Nikolay Gabrovski, it doesn’t matter at all. In my opinion, it is better to go the well-trodden path that has been suggested in previous elections, to propose some person to be „burned“. Just as Prof. Gabrovski and Prof. Gerdzhikov were burned, Daniel Mitov was „burned“ twice, as a strict political and party person – deputy chairman of GERB. That means this is an indication that Boyko Borisov does not see the possibility of forming a government as soon as he proposes this type of candidacy for prime minister. Again, he wraps it up in some beautiful words, in expertise, but that’s just rhetoric. Behind this type of action is precisely this – the reluctance and inability to move towards forming a regular cabinet.”
“Why? Because GERB risk a lot if they get support from the Movement for Rights and Freedoms or the Bulgarian Socialist Party, for this type of cabinet, they risk losing votes even from their own voters, if they agree to the option that Boyko Borisov presented yesterday – for an expert government. He suggested that it be for some period of time, with the participation of some famous faces and people who would be useful in overcoming the crisis. It does not matter. The important thing is that GERB will risk in a situation of losing positions in the local elections, and in key places”, stressed the political scientist.
According to him, there is no logic if „We continue the change-Democratic Bulgaria“ do not support the first mandate given to GERB, but then expect GERB to support a second mandate with them.
“This has been talked about for a long time, it makes no sense, if the second mandate of Continuing the Change-Democratic Bulgaria is going to be supported, not to support the first mandate of GERB. What is the difference? The same people who will stand in a majority behind GERB-SDS in the first mandate, will also be in the second for Continuing the change-Democratic Bulgaria. There is no logic in drafting it with the second mandate. The parties are putting us in an absurd situation, they are making absolutely illogical decisions”, Kiryakov is emphatic.
Georgi Kiryakov is a freelance political expert. He collaborates with many publications and institutes and specializes in organizational development of parties and electoral practices.
