Socialist Presidential Hopeful: Ruling Party Rival Is PM's Toy, No Rightist

The Sunday presidential race run-off is about upholding the very democracy in Bulgaria, and not about left-right divisions, stated Bulgarian Socialist Party candidate Ivaylo Kalfin Thursday.

Last Sunday, Kalfin came out second in the first round race, with 29% of the vote, against 40% for ruling center-right GERB party candidate Rosen Plevneliev.

"If I win elections Sunday, that is going to be the third socialist-related presidential mandate in Bulgaria in a row, and I know this troubles a lot of voters," said Kalfin.

"But people need to know that the vote is not about left and right, it is about safeguarding democratic institutions in Bulgaria. It is troubling to think that yet another institution will fall into the hands of PM Boyko Borisov," added he.

According to Kalfin, Plevneliev has demonstrated with his campaign that he will be just an actor to Borisov's will.

"I think that it is important for Bulgaria that the institution of the President be independent and have its own voice to counterbalance what comes out from cabinet," said the PES MEP.

"GERB needs to learn that its will is not the law and cease in its use of force in political life, the latest and grossest examples of which we witnessed at Sunday's presidential and local elections," stated Kalfin.

At the same time, he said he saw some flaws in the work of outgoing Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov, who before being elected in 2001 chaired the Socialist Party and is known to have strong ties with Kalfin.

According to the Socialist candidate, Parvanov could have done more to give voice to environmental issues, could have worked more closely with Parliament, and could have worked to frame a national doctrine for Bulgaria.

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