Elections 2006: The Good, The Bad and the Droll

Novinite Insider » EDITORIAL | October 23, 2006, Monday // 00:00
Bulgaria: Elections 2006: The Good, The Bad and the Droll Photo by Yuliana Nikolova (Sofia Photo Agency)

By Milena Hristova

If I have to repeat a metaphor, widely used in the election night, Bulgarians will have to decide by next Sunday in the hands of whose dog-keeper they would like to leave their pet (fate) - socialist Parvanov or nationalist Siderov.

The metaphor shows how skin-deep the analyses and euphoria of the two finalists was on the election night, how wrong the passion to label them "The Good" and "The Bad" guy. Nedelcho Beronov, the failed elderly right-wing candidate, was unfortunate enough to be slammed as the laughable "Droll".

The metaphor also shows the unfortunate position of the right-wing supporters, who just saw their parties being buried. And now are at a loss to decide who is the good and who is the bad guy.

In a bid to size up the pros and cons of the finalists, I offer you these highlights and question marks:

GROWN-UP PRESIDENT OF ALL BULGARIANS?

Even though with a nearly record-high number of support (60%), Parvanov will have to admit it is embarrassing to go to the run-off with a nationalist rival. He will also find it a tough job to prove his motto - President of all Bulgarians, as the right-wing supporters would never see him as an acceptable option, even when faced with Siderov.

Parvanov demonstrated confidence and optimism after the results broke, showing off as a matured, grown-up head of state. Parvanov, however, let himself be carried away by the emotions, appear over-confident and with an irritating condescension shied away from a direct debate with his nationalist rival Siderov.

NATIONALIST THREAT?

It may sound like an outworn quotation, but outworn it was not on the election night -all election racers got a slap in the face by Siderov's success.

His flying start, a phenomenon, but no surprise in the elections, was unanimously condemned by anxious politicians and analysers. Aggression against the status quo? The end of Bulgaria's much-famed ethnic model? A breakthrough in the presidency? It seems both dangerous to either undermine the threat or overreact.

Siderov capitalized on the anger at crime, corruption, poverty and tapped on the ethnic debate. The power that Parvanov handed to the ethnic Turks has given him a bad reputation, many votes and a powerful card in Siderov's hands.

Brussels may shudder at the thought that an ultra-nationalist is second-best candidate to usher the country through the threshold of the European Union. But Parvanov himself said he does understand and sympathize with the nationalists' voters and their woes. And confidently adds that Siderov is an easy rival.

Is Parvanov exaggerating?

Is Siderov scared at the thought he may land in the presidency office?

That's to be seen next Sunday.

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