Bulgarians elect their president amid the Covid-19 pandemic

Published on : 11/21/2021 – 4:44 PM

The Bulgarians, back to the polls on Sunday 21 November, should except surprise renew their confidence in their president, who has become a key figure in the anti-corruption movement in this country, the poorest in the EU.

The poll is taking place in the midst of the murderous wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. Less than 25% of the 6.9 million inhabitants are fully vaccinated, mortality is one of the highest in the world and dilapidated hospitals are overwhelmed.

In this parliamentary republic of the Balkans, it is the government which defines the policy, the president having an essentially ceremonial role.

But Roumen Radev, a novice when he won in 2016, has given the function another dimension and has established himself over the years as a key figure in the political game.

Arrived at the top of the first round on November 14 with more than 49% of the vote, this 58-year-old former fighter pilot and ex-chief of the armed forces hopes, if he is re-elected, to complete his mission of “change”.

Anti Corruption

“Let us take our destiny in hand, do not let others undermine our future,” he said on Sunday while voting.

A week after the legislative elections which gave the victory to a young anti-corruption party, it is a question of transforming the test, according to Kiril Petkov, who is running for the post of Prime Minister.

“The choice of the president will influence all the development of Bulgaria”, he insisted, after calling this week to vote for the one “who started the change”.

In the summer of 2020, Roumen Radev clearly sided with the demonstrators demanding the resignation of conservative Prime Minister Boyko Borisov.

Then, after the April 4 elections which sealed the fall of his sworn enemy but led to a political impasse, the general once again found himself in full light.

He chose new faces to compose the interim government, which gained wide popularity for uncovering corrupt practices from the Borisov era.

24% participation at 4 p.m.

And these are two ex-ministers of this team who won the legislative ballot at the head of their new formation, “Let’s continue the change”.

Kiril Petkov and his sidekick, Assen Vassilev, this week started negotiations to get out of a crisis unprecedented since the end of the communist regime.

In the capital Sofia, voters confided their desire for a “new start”.

“Everything is going wrong. I want this to change for my children, grandchildren and alumni,” retired teacher Dobrinka Nakova, who took to the streets last year, told AFP.

But most Bulgarians were reluctant after already three elections this year: according to the Election Commission, the turnout was 24% at 4:00 p.m. (2:00 p.m. GMT), down sharply compared to 2016.

“General red”

Hailed by many for his role in the marginalization of Boïko Borissov after a decade in power, Roumen Radev is accused by his detractors of overstepping his duties and of “taking sides”.

“The president’s role is to unite the nation, not to divide it,” said his second-round opponent Anastas Guerdjikov, who had collected less than 23% last Sunday.

The rector of Sofia University, also 58, is running with the support of Gerb, Boyko Borisov’s party. He can also count on the Turkish minority party MDL.

Anastas Guerdjikov also attacked his rival for his supposed pro-Russian sympathies, which had earned him the nickname “red general”.

“Russia cannot be our model of development, but neither can it be our enemy,” replied this president, close to the Socialists.

The political scientist Evgueni Daynov calls not to be mistaken in debate. The priority, including from the right, must be to block the road to the candidate supported by Gerb / MDL, two movements considered inseparable from the corruption that plagues the country, he believes. “It’s a question of national survival.”

Polling stations close at 8:00 p.m. (6:00 p.m. GMT), when the first exit estimates will be revealed.

With AFP