PES and BSP leader Sergey Stanishev casting his vote at the Sunday national referendum. Sofia Photo Agency
Bulgarians have the chance to vote to boost productivity and competitiveness in Sunday's national referendum on nuclear energy, argued PES and Bulgarian Socialist Party chair Sergey Stanishev.
Sunday Stanishev cast his vote, by saying that the first referendum in democratic Bulgarian history since 1989 is significant as an important case in which the initiative is in the hands of people.
The referendum, asking Bulgarians whether the country should build a new NPP, was organized by a public petition supported by the Bulgarian Socialist Party.
"Today we have the choice between two models of development - a high-tech, industrial and competitive Bulgaria with more jobs, or a backward Bulgaria with its citizens working in the service sector," said the socialist leader.
"Bulgarian citizens now have the chance to directly affect state policies and this is what is most important," added Stanishev.
The socialist leader stressed that the national vote is a prime way to stimulate civic participation, awareness and control over institutions.