Bulgaria's MEP = M(aster) of E(uropean) P(assivity)

Novinite Insider » EDITORIAL | Author: Milena Hristova |May 20, 2007, Sunday // 00:00
Bulgaria: Bulgaria's MEP  = M(aster) of E(uropean) P(assivity) Photo by Yuliana Nikolova (Sofia Photo Agency)

Just five months after joining the European Union, Bulgarians had their say in picking up those who will represent them in Europe. Or rather did not have it.

Brussels' biggest mistake will be to view May 20 elections as the first big test of how much support exists in Bulgaria for the EU. Amidst the metastases of corruption flaps, the complexities of preferential vote and the widespread ignorance of what the European Parliament stands for, the vote turned nothing but political. Saying the elections did not quicken the voters' pulse is wrong. Bulgarians straightforward boycotted it.

The low turnout may be a heavy blow to the whole political establishment, but ironically it was namely it that outlined the winners and the losers.

The big winner on the rainy and overcast Sunday night was the don't-bother-me-cause-I-am-too-busy mayor Sofia Boyko Borisov. Small wonder he is often described as Bulgaria's next prime minister. The MEP elections are the first big success for recently formed GERB, which was hatched out of the ranks of his civil movement and positioned itself in the center-right. To the demise of the party of ex-king Simeon - the big losers on May 20. Failure to deliver on election promises has stumbled Simeon's party twice already and now the men of Boyko Borisov may well not only pack their bags for Strasbourg but continue drawing up audacious plans for the future.

So can the nominees of the ethnic Turkish party the Movement for Rights and Freedoms, whose top-notch showing stirred the biggest sensation in Bulgaria's MEP vote. I would say nothing but repeat the words of the nationalist leader Siderov that "the sad conclusion after Bulgaria's first MEP vote is that the country will bring four representatives of Turkey to the European Union". And wish it was not true...

The ruling Socialists, considered all along a sure bet to win most seats, have to be very, very grateful to their core voters. These people shrugged off the revelations of high-level corruption, the signs of inter-clans wrangles in the party and the change in its policy - from leftist to liberal and decided to stay positive. Just like their young, smiling and leather jacket-clad leader and prime minister Sergey Stanishev. The bad news for the people other than their core fans is that the Socialists were among those not to send any political messages about their work in the European Parliament.

The European Parliament was the last thing on the mind of the supporters of firebrand Volen Siderov. Yet the nationalists managed to shore up support for their Ataka party and send his stepson Dimitar Stoyanov and an extremely controversial businessman turned archon to the European Parliament.

By an irony of fate it was namely the right-wing parties, Europe-oriented in their very genesis, that did not make it to Strasbourg. The Union of Democratic Forces of former President Petar Stoyanov and Democrats for Strong Bulgaria of former Prime Minister Ivan Kostov, men credited with throwing out the ex-communists who had pushed the country to the brink of financial crisis, were delivered their last rites on Sunday.

And I keep wondering - would the balance sheet have been the same if the parties' leaders had stepped back and given the top ticket spot to one of the jailed medics in Libya?

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!

Editorial » Be a reporter: Write and send your article

Advertisement
Advertisement
Bulgaria news Novinite.com (Sofia News Agency - www.sofianewsagency.com) is unique with being a real time news provider in English that informs its readers about the latest Bulgarian news. The editorial staff also publishes a daily online newspaper "Sofia Morning News." Novinite.com (Sofia News Agency - www.sofianewsagency.com) and Sofia Morning News publish the latest economic, political and cultural news that take place in Bulgaria. Foreign media analysis on Bulgaria and World News in Brief are also part of the web site and the online newspaper. News Bulgaria