Ruling center-right party GERB announced its much-anticipated presidential ticket on Sunday, stirring comments, reactions and predictions.
In a Monday morning interview, GERB's presidential hopeful Rosen Plevneliev launched an attack on the nominee of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), saying that his no's to Prime Minister Borisov undoubtedly outnumbered the no's of Kalfin to President Parvanov.
As a result, Bulgaria's October 23 presidential elections seem poised to become a battle of media-branded yes-sayers (independent candidate and former EU Commissioner Meglena Kuneva and MEP Ivaylo Kalfin, socialist candidate) and a self-avowed no-sayer (GERB's Rosen Plevneliev, currently a Regional Development Minister).
However, should we automatically assume that the ability to say no equals resisting power, which a head of state definitely needs?
I, for one thing, was best at saying no at the age of six to nine years.
At that time, I would say no to practically 85% of the requests, proposals and orders of my parents, grandparents, relatives and friends.
It was not exactly a no, but rather a "Nyama pyk!", roughly equivalent to " Says who!".
Needless to say, there was nothing constructive in my kindergarten rebellions.
In this line of thought, I do not believe that the ability to say no carries a great significance.
One can say no for many reasons, including stubbornness, fear, impulsiveness, poor reasoning capacity, etc.
What I find essential, however, is the ability to judge the offer or opportunity at hand.
Trumpeting hollow bravery is hardly likely to win support for Bulgaria's next head of state.
Maybe the candidates could try their hands at reasoned arguing on some of the serious problems plaguing the country?