Bulgarian Rocker Runs for President, Launches Cheeky Campaign

Two rock musicians, the most eccentric pair running for Bulgaria's presidential office, have launched their pre-election campaign, encouraged by the support of thousands of fans.

Svetoslav Vitkov, 40, and Ventsislav Mitsov, known best for their obscene songs as the vocal and keyboard player in the popular Hipodil band, will conduct their campaign primarily online. It will be under the motto "A president looking for Bulgaria."

"Our campaign will be organized mainly on the internet as television advertising in election time is too expensive," Vitkov told bTV channel.

He and his colleagues managed to collect over 10 thousand signatures for the registration of the candidacy after supporters and fans pooled efforts in social networks.

Innovative and talented indeed, the pair have absolute no experience in politics, but claim to be well read into it and are ready to voice an opinion on all the key issues Bulgaria faces.

When asked to comment on the tensions in the country over the last few days caused by the clashes in the village of Katunitsa, Svetoslav Vitkov and Ventsislav Mitsov said:

"Slamming the protests as nothing more but ethnic clashes is the easiest thing to do. It is far more important to know why the local Roma boss Kiril Rashkov owes millions to the state in unpaid taxes and why the police forces failed to respond more quickly and prevent the riots."

The two musicians, who are behind such hits like 'My Arse is Hurting' or 'Boli me gyza', said they want to become president and vice-president because they believe they can change Bulgaria.

Internet forums in Bulgaria are overflowing with messages of support and encouragement for the unusual presidential runners, as well as calls on other people to back them. The fans say Vitkov and Mitsov are the only candidates, who have not been engaged in dirty games so far and make for a much less sluggish and lacklustre pre-election campaign.

Despite the mostly ceremonial duties of the post, the president can name figures to bodies like the secret service, the media watchdog and others to extend his influence.

Incumbent Socialist President Georgi Parvanov was re-elected for a second five-year term in 2006 and isn't eligible to run in next year's presidential elections.

The candidates in 2011 elections will probably inspire more than one out of six million voters, the turnout during the previous vote in 2006, but the winner, whoever he is, is expected to be as pathetic to call himself president of all Bulgarians, as anyone can be.

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