Pre-election times are a wicked period in Bulgaria's political calendar – a sort of reality show-like format, where the darkest secrets of participants come to the surface.
This time, the newest "Big Brother" season has been in the making ever since the previous one concluded. Bulgarian society has been bombarded for months with scandals, intrigues, controversy, allegations, and the occasional middle finger in Parliament.
The tug-of-war game between the Socialists (BSP) and opposition (GERB) has stretched the rope of Bulgarian society to a ripping point.
Nearly two months ahead of the European Parliament elections, what the voters want most is a constructive debate on fundamental issues. As the EU-phoria of 2007 has significantly waned down, Bulgarians need re-convincing about the ways in which the Union can improve their lives. There can be no other legitimate motivation for sending representatives to Brussels, who would earn hefty salaries over the next few years.
The potential winner in this interparty war is the Reformist Bloc, though it hasn't shown signs of utilizing its popularity among the anti-government protesters, nor moving the dialogue in the necessary direction.
Rather than quarrelling on the new Election Code, Bulgaria's parties owe their citizens adherence to the Ethical Code.