DOCSLIB.ORG

POLIT-BAROMETER the Early Parliamentary Elec- Tions Held on July 11Th Were Marked by a Record Low Turnout

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
POLIT-BAROMETER the Early Parliamentary Elec- Tions Held on July 11Th Were Marked by a Record Low Turnout ANALYSE DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS POLIT-BAROMETER The early parliamentary elec- tions held on July 11th were marked by a record low turnout. Year 21 Issue 5 1 June – 12 July 2021 For the first time since 2009, GERB are not the first politi- Georgi Karasimeonov (Ed.) cal force. After a poor performance, BSP remains the third force. FRIEDRICH-EBERT-STIFTUNG – POLIT-BAROMETER DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS POLIT-BAROMETER Year 21 Issue 5 1 June – 12 July 2021 CONTENTS Contents 1. THE POLITICAL SITUATION 2 2. STATE AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE PARTY SYSTEM 5 3. PUBLIC OPINION 7 4. MAIN CONCLUSIONS AND FORECASTS 8 1 FRIEDRICH-EBERT-STIFTUNG – POLIT-BAROMETER 1 THE POLITICAL SITUATION At the beginning of June, the United States Treasury ous means in exchange for information and loyalty on Department imposed sanctions on six Bulgarians un- their part. The American authorities have information der the global Magnitsky Act. Among them are for- that Zhelyazkov offered bribes to high-ranking Bul- mer MRF MP Delyan Peevski, gambling boss Vasil garian government officials, who were expected to Bozhkov, who is in hiding in Dubai, Ilko Zhelyazkov, provide him with information that would be passed deputy chairman of the National Bureau for Control on to Peevski. In return, Zhelyazkov “saw to it that of Special Intelligence Measures, former GERB deputy those who accepted his proposal were appointed to Economy Minister Alexander Manolev, former chair- influential positions and ensured that they received man of the State Agency for Bulgarians Abroad Petar a monthly bribe.” Peevski and Zhelyazkov also had a Haralampiev, as well as the Secretary General of the senior official who in 2019 illegally misappropriated same agency Petar Tomov. funds for their use. According to US authorities, Zhel- yazkov coerced a candidate for Bulgarian minister by It is stated in a message from the US Treasury Depart- threatening that there would be criminal charges by ment that Vasil Bozhkov has “frequently bribed gov- the prosecution if the minister did not provide further ernment officials.” These officials include a current assistance to Zhelyazkov after his appointment. political leader, as well as the former chairman of the now-closed State Commission on Gambling (SCG). Alexander Manolev from GERB has been sanctioned Bozhkov also planned to provide a sum of money for because of the scandal regarding a guest house, which a former Bulgarian official and a Bulgarian politician was built with money from European projects for ru- to create a channel through which Russian political ral tourism, but which he uses as a private residence. leaders could exert influence on Bulgarian govern- Haralampiev and Tomov have been sanctioned for the ment officials. scandal with the sale of Bulgarian citizenship and oth- er official crimes of which they have been accused. According to US authorities, Delyan Peevski participat- ed in corruption in that he used trading in influence At first Vasil Bozhkov thanked the United States for and bribery to protect himself from public control and considering his signal, but expressed bewilderment as to exercise control over key institutions and sectors in to why he was among the individuals sanctioned, since Bulgarian society. In September 2019, the former MRF he himself had testified about the corruption schemes MP worked actively to have a negative impact on the of the previous government. Bozhkov said that Bor- political process in Bulgaria during the local elections isov should have been among the persons sanctioned on October 27th, 2019. Peevski negotiated with pol- because he was the object of his signal. Delyan Peevs- iticians to provide them with political support and ki issued a statement to the media in which he stat- positive media coverage in return for protection from ed that he would appeal before the American court criminal investigation. against the sanctions imposed. He said he was not an office bearer, and so should not fall within the scope According to message of the US Treasury Department, of such sanctions. Ilko Zhelyazkov declined to com- Peevski also participated in corrupt practices through ment, going on leave initially, but he later resigned as his proxy Ilko Zhelyazkov, former deputy chairman of deputy chairman of the National Special Intelligence the State Agency for Technical Operations (SATO - or Means Control Bureau. In addition to the six individ- DATO) and a former employee of the State Agency for uals, 68 companies related to them were sanctioned. National Security (SANS), who was appointed Deputy Sanctions may also apply to all related persons and Chairman of the National Bureau for Control of Special companies that do business or any financial activity Intelligence Means in 2018. Peevski apparently used with them in the future. Zhelyazkov to implement a scheme of bribery that af- fected Bulgarian residence documents for foreign na- The political reactions were diametrically opposed. tionals, as well as to bribe civil servants through vari- MRF stood behind Delyan Peevski, saying that until 2 THE POLITICAL SITUATION evidence of corruption was provided, they could not On the whole, the majority of experts and members of take action. However, the movement issued a remind- the public united in the conclusion that the sanctions er that Peevski is not a member of the party, but was under the Magnitsky law are a severe blow to Bulgar- an MP from the civil quota. GERB gave a press con- ia’s reputation, because they show that there is sys- ference at which they took a stand only on the sanc- tematic political corruption in the country, which re- tions imposed against Alexander Manolev, who was pels potential foreign investors. A number of analysts their member, stating that the party had reacted im- have also described the sanctions as a slap in the face mediately and he had been dismissed as deputy min- for Brussels, because for years European institutions ister. Borisov, however, denied having any connection have turned a blind eye to problems with the rule of with Delyan Peevski, despite a great deal of evidence law in Bulgaria and even supported Boyko Borisov in recent years about the symbiosis between the two and GERB, especially those in the leadership of the Eu- in running the country and in a number of appoint- ropean People’s Party, despite the fact that there was ments. Borisov said he had met with Peevski only to information about corruption in the country. discuss issues affecting regions in the country with a Muslim population. Borisov rejected allegations that The caretaker government has exposed a number he was the political leader and high-ranking official of abuses and violations committed by the previ- who had repeatedly been bribed by Bozhkov. ous government. The Bulgarian Development Bank, which was set up to promote small and medium-sized Parties that oppose GERB and Borisov unanimously de- businesses in the country, has been used as a “piggy scribed the sanctions as an assessment of the previous bank” by oligarchs close to the government, who have government and systematic corruption in the country. been financed with hundreds of millions in credit. They stated that the decision of the US authorities was Among them are companies linked to Delyan Peevski, well-intentioned support for Bulgaria in solving the GERB-affiliated oligarch Kiril Domuschiev, and Rumen problem of corruption. According to representatives Gaitanski, who is said to be close to Ahmed Dogan and of “There is such a people” and “Democratic Bulgaria”, MRF. The Minister of Economy Kiril Petkov dismissed this can be changed only by the Bulgarian authorities the entire supervisory board of the bank and appoint- and the judiciary, for which deep reforms are required. ed a new team, changing the regulations for loans of up to BGN 5 million to be granted. In the state-owned President Radev described the sanctions as a strong company Avtomagistrali, the law on public procure- sign in support of the aspirations of Bulgarian citi- ment has been circumvented by paying hundreds of zens to promote democracy, justice and transparency. millions in advance to companies that have not yet Radev asked why it had come to us from outside to carried out any activity. A report on this case was is- point out the problems that we know well, but have sued by the National Audit Office, after which the -So been unable to solve. According to the President, the fia City Prosecutor’s Office filed a complaint. The Min- main culprits for this are the previous rulers with the ister of Regional Development Komitova dismissed iniquitous model of corruption they had created. the company’s board of directors and appointed new management. Violations were also found in a number The caretaker government has begun compiling a list of state hospitals, with the most striking case being of people and companies connected with the indi- in being Lozenets Hospital, where illegal transplants viduals sanctioned. The main concern of the govern- were performed. The caretaker government has pro- ment is that state and municipal enterprises should posed to the President to dismiss the head of the State not be subject to sanctions if they have had business Agency for National Security (SANS) and the head of relations with those who have been sanctioned. The the State Intelligence Agency, which was expected af- government stated that the next parliament could ter the two decided to go on four months of unpaid consider adopting legislation to settle the issue of cas- leave before the caretaker government took office. es of sanctions being imposed by another country on The Deputy Director of SANS, Nedyalko Nedyalkov, Bulgarian citizens and companies. was also dismissed, with a number of media reports by experts in the know about the work of the services The US embassy announced that the sanctions were claiming that he was Peevski’s plant in the service and the largest one-off action under the global Magnitsky that he influenced its work through him.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • University of Copenhagen Associate Professor in Political Science
    Declining Danish EU skepticism Kosiara-Pedersen, Karina Published in: Euroflections. Leading academics on the European elections 2019 Publication date: 2019 Document version Publisher's PDF, also known as Version of record Citation for published version (APA): Kosiara-Pedersen, K. (2019). Declining Danish EU skepticism. In N. Bolin, K. Falasca, M. Grusell, & L. Nord (Eds.), Euroflections. Leading academics on the European elections 2019 (pp. 75). Mittuniversitetet. Download date: 25. sep.. 2021 Editors: Niklas Bolin Kajsa Falasca Marie Grusell Lars Nord Leading academics on the European elections 2019 1 DEMICOM-report nr 40 Read the electronic version of Euroflections at www.euroflections.se Editors Niklas Bolin Kajsa Falasca Marie Grusell Lars Nord Publisher Mittuniversitetet, Demicom, Sundsvall, Sverige Holmgatan 10 851 70 Sundsvall Contact 010-142 80 00 [email protected] www.facebook.com/mittuniversitetet www.twitter.com/mittuni www.instagram.com/mittuniversitetet Design and layout Accidens Kommunikation ISBN: 978-91-88527-70-7 This is Euroflections Euroflections is an academic report on the European elections 2019. With Euroflections we want to provide the public with interesting reflections on the election campaigns and their main actors, namely the voters, the parties and the media. In total, more than 70 experts in political science and political communication representing almost every EU country offer insightful analyses of campaign developments and electoral outcomes. Some contributions are one-country studies, while others are written from comparative or thematic perspectives. Euroflections is intended to fill a gap in European elections reporting and research. The report is not as fast as news media analyses and social media comments published immediately when the electoral outcome is known.
    [Show full text]
  • Populist Radical Right Parties in Europe
    This page intentionally left blank Populist radical right parties in Europe As Europe enters a significant phase of re-integration of East and West, it faces an increasing problem with the rise of far-right political par- ties. Cas Mudde offers the first comprehensive and truly pan-European study of populist radical right parties in Europe. He focuses on the par- ties themselves, discussing them both as dependent and independent variables. Based upon a wealth of primary and secondary literature, this book offers critical and original insights into three major aspects of European populist radical right parties: concepts and classifications; themes and issues; and explanations for electoral failures and successes. It concludes with a discussion of the impact of radical right parties on European democracies, and vice versa, and offers suggestions for future research. cas mudde is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Political Science at the University of Antwerp. He is the author of The Ideology of the Extreme Right (2000) and the editor of Racist Extremism in Central and Eastern Europe (2005). Populist radical right parties in Europe Cas Mudde University of Antwerp CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS Cambridge, New York, Melbourne, Madrid, Cape Town, Singapore, São Paulo Cambridge University Press The Edinburgh Building, Cambridge CB2 8RU, UK Published in the United States of America by Cambridge University Press, New York www.cambridge.org Information on this title: www.cambridge.org/9780521850810 © Cas Mudde 2007 This publication is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception and to the provision of relevant collective licensing agreements, no reproduction of any part may take place without the written permission of Cambridge University Press.
    [Show full text]
  • Bulgaria's Perpetual Stagnation Due to Its Negative National Narrative
    Claremont Colleges Scholarship @ Claremont CMC Senior Theses CMC Student Scholarship 2021 Maledictum Bulgaricus: Bulgaria’s Perpetual Stagnation Due to its Negative National Narrative and Political Nostalgia Yoana Sidzhimova Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cmc_theses Part of the History Commons Recommended Citation Sidzhimova, Yoana, "Maledictum Bulgaricus: Bulgaria’s Perpetual Stagnation Due to its Negative National Narrative and Political Nostalgia" (2021). CMC Senior Theses. 2645. https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cmc_theses/2645 This Open Access Senior Thesis is brought to you by Scholarship@Claremont. It has been accepted for inclusion in this collection by an authorized administrator. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Claremont McKenna College Maledictum Bulgaricus: Bulgaria’s Perpetual Stagnation Due to its Negative National Narrative and Political Nostalgia submitted to Professor Zachary Courser by Yoana Nikolaeva Sidzhimova for Senior Thesis Full Year Thesis 2020 – 2021 May 3, 2021 1 Acknowledgements First, I would like to thank Professor Courser for his guidance throughout my entire journey at CMC. From sitting in his office for our first ever advisor meeting freshman year, having the pleasure to learn and work alongside him in CMC’s Policy Lab, and, finally, completing my thesis with his guidance, my experience at CMC would not have been the same without him there. Thank you for always pushing me and helping me understand the value in a ‘Big Think,’ having my best interests as a both a student and individual at heart, and, most importantly, reminding me the value in slowing down and taking a breather. I have learned so much from you in the past four years.
    [Show full text]
  • Court Says Coed Ban in Line with Constitution
    SUBSCRIPTION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2015 RABI ALAWWAL 6, 1437 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Mutual respect Amazon UK ‘Star Wars’ River scrape between cops, urges customers rediscovers its into Club citizens essential to throw away Force, say critics World final for security3 hoverboards27 as38 film opens with20 nervy win Court says coed ban in Min 07º Max 19º line with constitution High Tide 02:25 & 16:35 Assembly approves animal rights bill Low Tide 09:57 & 22:07 40 PAGES NO: 16730 150 FILS By B Izzak Amnesty: Kuwait sliding into repression KUWAIT: The constitutional court, the highest court in the country, ruled yesterday that a 19-year old legisla- By Nawara Fattahova tion that bans the mixing of male and female students at universities is in line with the constitution and turned KUWAIT: Amnesty International urged Kuwait yester- down a challenge against it. The challenge was filed in day to release political prisoners and warned that the February by two male students and a lawyer, contesting state was at risk of sliding deeper into repression. In a that the law violates gender equality stipulated in the report titled “The Iron Fist Policy: Criminalization of constitution and overburdens the government with Peaceful Dissent in Kuwait”, Amnesty said more than highly expensive additional costs. 90 government critics were either in jail or on trial for The law was passed by the National Assembly, which charges such as insulting or offending HH the Amir or was controlled by Islamist and conservative MPs, in top officials. The report was released during a press 1996, and gave the government five years to implement conference held at the Kuwait Society for Human it.
    [Show full text]
  • The Magnitsky Law and the Rico
    SSRG International Journal of Economics and Management Studies Volume 8 Issue 7, 6-20, July, 2021 ISSN: 2393 – 9125 /doi:10.14445/23939125/IJEMS-V8I7P102 © 2021 Seventh Sense Research Group® The Magnitsky Law and The Rico Law - The Guarantee For The Fight Against Corruption And The Mafia In Bulgaria And The European Union - The Example of The Attempts To Steal Private Land Through Concession, Theft of Land And Theft of Land Through State Structures Lord Prof. PhD PhD Momtchil Dobrev-Halachev Scientific Research Institute Dobrev & Halachev.JSC., Sofia.Bulgaria Received Date: 17 May 2021 Revised Date: 22 June 2021 Accepted Date: 05 July 2021 Abstract - Lord prof PhD PhD Momtchil Dobrev- The fight against the mafia and corruption in Bulgaria Halachev and Prof. Mariola Garibova-DObreva and in the European Commission and the European Union developed 2006 “Theory of degree of democracy” and does not yield results because the mafia is at the highest “Theory of degree of justice / injustice /” based on their state and European level and does what it wants. This practice in court, prosecutor's office, state. Prof. Momchil mafia holds courts, prosecutors and all kinds of state Dobrev has been creating Theory of Corruption, "Theory institutions and the latter carry out its orders. of the Mafia," Theory of Mafia "," Financial Banking Resource Technological Mafia Materialism "since 2003" 1.1 Introduce the Problem The problem with the mafia and corruption in Bulgaria Keywords - Crise, mafia, corruption, Magnitsky law, and in the European Union and the European Commission RICO law, finance. is huge. We have repeatedly applied evidence of the scale .
    [Show full text]
  • THE 2016 REFERENDUM in BULGARIA Stoycho P. Stoychev
    East European Quarterly Vol. 45, No. 3-4 pp. 187-194, September-December 2017 © Central European University 2017 ISSN: 0012-8449 (print) 2469-4827 (online) THE 2016 REFERENDUM IN BULGARIA Stoycho P. Stoychev Department of Political Science Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” Outline The 2016 referendum was the first successful bottom-up initiative for a national referendum in Bulgaria since 1989. It was initiated by Slavi Trofonov, a popular TV showman, broadcasting in the primetime of one of the three national TV stations, bTV. Six questions were proposed, but the National Assembly reduced them to only three. The turnout did not meet the normatively required threshold for binding force of the result, but the referendum produced politically legitimate result and the legislature was obliged to consider the issue. A bill implementing the decisions of the referendum was introduced, but failed. Background Stanislav (Slavi) Trifonof started his career in television back in 1992. He quickly gained popularity and in 1996 was already a co-producer of the first and, by that time, only comedian show called “Canaleto”, which reflected upon sensitive societal and political issues in the transforming country. In 1997, Trifonov actively used the show to participate in the mass protests against the government of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), led by Zhan Videnov. In 1998, a scandal between the co-producers of Canaleto led to the breakdown of the team and Trifonov started a show on his own, called “Hashove”. It was abolished by the Bulgarian National Television (BNT) immediately after its first broadcast because of political satire on the Ivan Kostov government (bitelevision.com 2017; dnevnik.bg 1998) and continued weekly on “7 dni” a small cable television, but was broadcasted by other cable televisions as well.
    [Show full text]
  • Zornitsa Markova the KTB STATE
    Zornitsa Markova THE KTB STATE Sofia, 2017 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or express written consent from Iztok-Zapad Publishing House. transmitted in any form or by any means without first obtaining © Zornitsa Markova, 2017 © Iztok-Zapad Publishing House, 2017 ISBN 978-619-01-0094-2 zornitsa markova THE KTB STATE CHRONICLE OF THE LARGEST BANK FAILURE IN BULGARIA — THE WORKINGS OF A CAPTURED STATE THAT SOLD OUT THE PUBLIC INTEREST FOR PRIVATE EXPEDIENCY CONTENTS LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS / 12 EDITOR’S FOREWORD / 13 SUMMARY / 15 READER’S GUIDE TO THE INVESTIGATION / 21 1. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND / 23 DEVELOPMENTS IN THE BULGARIAN BANKING SECTOR THAT PRE-DATE KTB ..........................................................25 Headed for a Banking Crisis .................................................................................................. 26 Scores of Banks Close Their Doors................................................................................... 29 First Private Bank — Backed by the Powerful, Favoured by the Government ......................................................... 33 Criminal Syndicates and Their Banks — the Birth of a State within the State ...........................................................................35 A Post-Crisis Change of Players ..........................................................................................37 A FRESH START FOR THE FLEDGLING KTB ..................................................... 40 KTB SALE ..........................................................................................................................................42
    [Show full text]
  • KAS MP SOE Redebeitrag AM En
    REPORT Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and Foundation Media Democracy MEDIA MONITORING LABORATORY February 2016 THE DILEMMA OF THE MEDIA: JOURNALISM OR PROPAGANDA www.fmd.bg www.kas.de The Foundation Media Democracy (FMD) • An apathetic campaign for the local and the Media Program South East Europe elections which were held in October, where of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) media proved themselves to care more present their joint annual report on the about how they could profit from political state of the Bulgarian media environment advertising funds, allocated by the parties, in 2015. This study summarises the trends than about providing a stage for genuine in the coverage of socio-political debates among participants in the election developments in the country. race. The analyses in the report are conducted by • Examples of unprecedented attacks the research team of the Media Monitoring against the Council for Electronic Media Laboratory of FMD: Nikoleta Daskalova, (SEM) in the context of political strife. Media Gergana Kutseva, Eli Aleksandrova, Vladimir regulation was seriously threatened. At the Kisimdarov, Lilia Lateva, Marina Kirova, same time important debates and long- Ph.D., Silvia Petrova, Ph.D., Assoc. Prof. needed amendments to the media Todor Todorov, as well as by the guest legislation were not initiated. experts Assoc. Prof. Georgi Lozanov, Prof. Snezhana Popova and Prof. Totka Monova. In light of the above, the main conclusions The team was led by Assoc. Prof. Orlin by areas of monitoring can be summarised, Spasov. A part of the monitoring is based as follows: on quantitative and qualitative data, prepared by Market Links Agency for the NATIONAL TELEVISIONS, DAILY joint analysis of FMD and KAS.
    [Show full text]
  • INTERNATIONAL ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION Bulgaria – Early Parliamentary Elections, 11 July 2021
    INTERNATIONAL ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION Bulgaria – Early Parliamentary Elections, 11 July 2021 STATEMENT OF PRELIMINARY FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS PRELIMINARY CONCLUSIONS The 11 July early parliamentary elections were competitive with fundamental freedoms generally respected. The campaign environment was dominated by mutual accusations of corruption between the former ruling party and the provisional government, and underpinned by law-enforcement’s actions to curb vote-buying. The elections were conducted under an adequate legal framework overall, which was substantially revised shortly before elections, straining electoral preparations and affecting legal certainty. The technical aspects of the elections were managed efficiently, despite the compressed timeframe, COVID-19 pandemic and late adoption of some important procedural regulations. The transparency and accountability of campaign finance were reduced by the deficiencies in oversight and limited reporting requirements. Media offered scant editorial and news coverage of the campaign, impacting voters’ ability to make an informed choice. In the polling stations observed, the voting process was transparent with procedures largely followed. The implementation of machine voting as the only voting method for most voters was generally efficient, with minor malfunctions reported. The legal framework overall provides an adequate basis for the conduct of democratic elections. The May 2021 amendments introduced mandatory machine voting for most voters, established a new Central Election Commission (CEC), removed limitations and changed the criteria for establishing polling stations abroad. While generally welcomed as an improvement, the amendments were introduced shortly before the elections, limiting the time for informing voters on the new procedures and affecting legal certainty, contrary to international good practice. Longstanding ODIHR and the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission recommendations pertaining to key aspects of the electoral process remain to be addressed.
    [Show full text]
  • Bulgaria Political Briefing: What Are the Political Expectations for Bulgaria After the Early Parliamentary Elections on July 11? Evgeniy Kandilarov
    ISSN: 2560-1601 Vol. 42, No. 1 (BG) July 2021 Bulgaria political briefing: What are the Political Expectations for Bulgaria after the early Parliamentary Elections on July 11? Evgeniy Kandilarov 1052 Budapest Petőfi Sándor utca 11. +36 1 5858 690 Kiadó: Kína-KKE Intézet Nonprofit Kft. [email protected] Szerkesztésért felelős személy: CHen Xin Kiadásért felelős személy: Huang Ping china-cee.eu 2017/01 What are the Political Expectations for Bulgaria after the early Parliamentary Elections on July 11? Summary Early parliamentary elections were held in Bulgaria on July 11th. They came after the results of the regular elections on April 4th failed to lead to the formation of a government, and according to the Constitution, parliament was dissolved and new elections scheduled. The results of the July 11 elections are quite similar to those of April 4. The only difference is that this time the newly formed party of the popular TV presenter, showman and popular singer Slavi Trifonov become first. The name of this political force is "There is such a people." Unfortunately, again the distribution of the number of seats between the six parties that enter the parliament is such that the prospects for forming a stable government are very small, which could lead to a deepening political crisis. Early parliamentary elections were held in Bulgaria on July 11th, just three months after the previous vote in April. The electoral outcome in April led to a situation in which none of the parties in the parliament could gather enough support to form a government. Therefore, according to the country's Constitution, the National Assembly was dissolved and the President appointed a caretaker government and scheduled new parliamentary elections for July 11th.
    [Show full text]
  • “Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria” and Slavi Trifonov's
    GENERAL ELECTIONS IN BULGARIA 11TH JULY 2021 Boyko Borissov's “Citizens for European Elections monitor European Development of Bulgaria” Corinne Deloy and Slavi Trifonov's “Such a People Exist” neck and neck after the parliamentary elections RESULT Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB, Turnout was low. It totalled 38.0%. There are several which means "shield" in Bulgarian), led by former Prime reasons for this: the holidays, the increase in the number Minister (2009-2013, 2014-2017 and 2017-2021) Boyko of voting machines which may have discouraged some Borissov, and Such a People Exist (Ima takuv narod, voters, especially the older ones, but also, and above ITN), a populist party founded by singer and TV all, the weariness of Bulgarians with their political class. presenter Slavi Trifonov finished in a tight race in the 11 Finally, the high abstention rate is also the result of a July parliamentary elections in Bulgaria. ITN won decline in vote buying according to Parvan Simeonov, 24.08% of the vote and 65 MPs, while GERB won director of the Gallup International Institute in Bulgaria. 23.51% of the vote and 63 MPs. The Socialist Party (BSP) led by Korneliya Ninova took 13.51% of the vote, followed by the liberal coalition Democratic Bulgaria led by Hristo Ivanov, which includes 3 parties (Yes Bulgaria, Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria and the Greens), which won 12.56%. The Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS), a party representing the Turkish minority, led by Mustafa Karadayi, obtained 10.66% of the vote. Finally, the coalition Get up Bulgaria ! Mafia, get out! (Izpravi se BG! Moutri van!) of former ombudsman Maya Manolova and the Poisoned Trio (the name given by journalist Sasho Dikov to the trio comprising lawyer Nikolai Hadjigenov, sculptor Velislav Minekov and public relations specialist and former radio journalist Arman Babikyan) secured 5.06% of the vote and will be represented in the next National Assembly (Narodno sabranie), the only chamber of the Parliament.
    [Show full text]
  • POLIT-BAROMETER Country, with the New Chief Prosecutor Ivan Geshev Being the Main Player in This Process
    ANALYSE DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS The exacerbation of the politi- cal situation in the country in the first months of this year is due to the shift of political and economic strata in the POLIT-BAROMETER country, with the new Chief Prosecutor Ivan Geshev being the main player in this process. Year 20 Issue 1 January - February, 2020 The escalation of tensions be- tween the president and the Georgi Karasimeonov (Ed.) government shows that it will be very difficult to find points of agreement for dialogue between them. Tensions in BSP are mount- ing with regard to the up- coming internal elections, which will decide who will be the party leader. FRIEDRICH-EBERT-STIFTUNG – POLIT-BAROMETER DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS POLIT-BAROMETER Year 20 Issue 1 January - February, 2020 CONTENTS Contents 1. THE POLITICAL SITUATION 2 2. THE CONDITION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE PARTY SYSTEM 5 3. PUBLIC OPINION 7 4. MAIN CONCLUSIONS AND FORECASTS 8 1 FRIEDRICH-EBERT-STIFTUNG – POLIT-BAROMETER 1 THE POLITICAL SITUATION The political situation in the first months of the year was ex- cided to supply Pernik with water from Belmeken Reservoir tremely dynamic and tense. The water crisis in the town of and the Rila Water Supply, which pipes some of the water Pernik, close to Sofia, intensified, and led to protests by lo- to Sofia. For this purpose, the construction of a completely cals. The reasons for the crisis are a combination of factors: new 13-km water pipeline from the village of Malo Buchino wrong decisions in government, poor management of the to Pernik began.
    [Show full text]