Lifeboat for Sofia

Novinite Insider » EDITORIAL | September 23, 2005, Friday // 00:00

By Despina Koleva

An inexperienced real estate salesman asked his boss if he could refund the deposit to an angry customer who had discovered that the lot he had bought was under water.

"What kind of a salesman are you?" the boss yelled. "Get out there and sell the man a boat."

This week's political situation in Bulgaria has come to resemble the above joke. Many a political entity appear to have once again concluded that they need not make up for their continuous misconduct.

Rather, as torrential rains befell the country once again, they raced to sell another good-a Sofia mayor. PeopleпїЅs hero Boyko Borisov, garbage disaster redeemer Minko Gerdzhikov, moneywise Milen Velchev-agreed on and potential nominees have been sprouting like mushrooms in the rain.

Yet, under the current nomination format, it seems unlikely that any boat or ship, for that matter, short of a UFO, is likely to be able to save Sofia residents from the miserable fate of puddling into flooded streets, breaking their 12-year-old cars in road holes and not having a suitable place to process their garbage. For, as in some US teen movie, nominees appear to be picked according to popularity rather than functionality criteria. The Socialist Party have even launched an opinion poll to research the public approval for each of their seven shortlisted candidates, as if they'll be choosing a homecoming queen.

Still, Sofia mayor elections are no high school prom. Therefore, nominating someone just because they are popular simply doesn't work. At least not in the long run. Further, experience has shown that a broad, beaming smile promises a lot but delivers little. Following this line of thought, there's a fair chance that the same holds true for a square jaw or a sleek appearance.

Rationality has rarely played a role in the actions of Bulgaria's collective political genius. The absence of a clear agenda to be presented by nominees a month before the election itself, however, indicates an unhealthy commercial acumen. Which does little to help Sofia find the lifeboat that will actually save it.

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