Labor of Love

Novinite Insider » EDITORIAL | October 7, 2005, Friday // 00:00

By Despina Koleva

A mayor candidate, who just won the race, calls his wife.

"You might want to congratulate me. I've been elected," the guy says.

"Yeah, right, you must be lying," the wife replies.

The man scolds her angrily, "I'm telling you I already got elected. Why on Earth would I need to lie anymore!"

Needless to say, this quite popular Bulgarian joke reflects deep dissatisfaction over electoral promises.

And how could it possibly be any other way? Years after democracy triumphantly arrived in the country, Bulgaria's wholesale political body has generously promised but failed to promptly deliver.

The latest example is by far and large the new ruling coalition. It is quite possible that the joy of finally forming a dubiously stable government has given coalition partners a sudden fit of partial memory loss, for they seem to have completely forgotten large chunks of their electoral agendas. However, the majority of Bulgarians boast a sound memory when it comes down to politicians' unfulfilled promises.

Yet, about two weeks prior to the Sofia mayor elections, the capital's residents have been suffused by a boatload of new promises. One after another, mayor candidates have rushed to undertake crusades, each one nobler than the other. Corruption, stray dogs, garbage-all are worthy causes.

But experience has shown that reality begins where promises end. "Fulfilled promises" has turned into an oxymoron with respect to Bulgarian politics. Low voter turnout is only one of the results of the electorate's distrust towards the country's political elite. People base their apathy on the grounds that
"they all just promise but no one really fulfills."

Therefore, it is imperative that the runners in the Sofia 2005 mayor contest put down their stakes on promising what they can, or rather, intend to actually deliver. An attempt at being fair towards one's electorate may indeed result in a greater interest on the part of voters. And will finally give them the much yearned for example of a labor of love for their city.

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