Elections en Bulgarie

Premier tour des élections présidentielles bulgares. La Gauche en tête mais l'extrême-droite au deuxième tour. Un 21 avril bulgare, comme l'écrit Yves Formentin. A lire également l'analyse des résultats de l'observatoire des élections de la Fondation Robert Schuman.

Ci-dessous l'analyse de nos camarades Bulgares du BSY (Jeunes Socialistes Bulgares):

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS 2006

The Republic of Bulgaria held its fourth free National Presidential Elections on 22 October 2006.

The main candidates for the mostly figurative office of Head of State, which represents the unity of the nation and serves as commander-in-chief, were:

· The current President Mr. Georgui Parvanov – former leader of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), who played a crucial role in its transformation into a social democratic party of Western type. Mr. Parvanov’s candidacy for second term was put up by a wide array of political organisations, including the ruling coalition, civil associations and popular individuals from the scientific, cultural, entertainment and sport spheres. Although mostly symbolic, Mr. Parvanov’s candidacy was also supported by a big share of EU politicians and institutions as he was seen as firm supporter of the European course of Bulgaria as opposed to the rhetoric of one of the other candidates – Mr. Volen Siderov.

· Mr. Nedelcho Beronov – experienced and reputable man of law, who ended his career as chairman of the Constitutional Court, but also a political “foreigner”, largely unknown to the general public. Mr. Beronov’s candidacy was put up by a union of right-wing parties – shards of the Union of Democratic Forces (UDF) which governed the country between 1997 and 2001.

· Mr. Volen Siderov – leader of the populist “Ataka” (Attack) party which emerged on the political playground during the 2005 General Elections campaign. However, “Ataka” is also allegedly connected to circles, descendant from the former secret police of the totalitarian regime and under the economic influence of groups, representing Russian interests in Bulgaria. “Ataka’s” messages to the voters combined left and far-left postulates – nationalisation of economic structures, social justice, equality, strong state; as well as far-right notions – strong rhetoric against the Roma and Turkish minorities, solutions to the wide-spread corruption and organised crime which seriously divert from the main principles of the democratic polity. “Ataka” also stands on firm positions against the EU, NATO, as well as against Bulgaria’s relations with the USA.

· Mr. Georgui Markov – right-wing candidate, connected to the past of the UDF, former member of the Constitutional Court.

· General Luben Petrov, the last General of the Armies of the former Bulgarian People’s Army. A former member of the BSP who left because of his anti-NATO and EU-sceptic views, in the current election campaign he tried to attract voters with his patriotic platform aiming at the nostalgic electorate of the left who lost their social status during the transition period.

· Professor Grigor Velev – formerly founder and member of “Ataka”, he left it after a personal conflict with its leader Mr. Volen Siderov. In the election campaign he tried to unite all the nationalist organisations that left the “Ataka” coalition protesting against the authoritarian methods imposed by Mr. Siderov and his retinue.

· Mr. Petar Beron – MP who left the Parliamentary group of “Ataka” shortly before the elections. He employed mainly far-left populist rhetoric along with his pacifist views.

After the vote was conducted and counted the Central Electoral Commission declared that the record-low turnout of 42.51% does not allow Mr. Parvanov, who gathered 64.0% of the vote to be declared winner of the vote. Mr. Parvanov will have to face a run-off against Mr. Volen Siderov who got 21.5%. The right-wing candidate Mr. Nedelcho Beronov attracted only 9.8% of those who voted.

The elections result can be interpreted as firm support for those political circles which argue strongly in favour of European integration and Bulgarian membership in the EU. Disillusionment is the main reason for the low turn-out. Bulgarians are disappointed by the unfulfilled promises of the political class, by the poverty and corruption, and by the recurring dominance of organised crime in Bulgaria. Another important factor, which influenced the turn-out, was also “the deficit of justice in Bulgarian society” as formulated by Mr. Georgui Parvanov in his statement in the election night when the results were announced.

The biggest loser in the elections was Mr. Nedelcho Beronov and in his person – the traditional right, which for the first time after the fall of communism in 1989 would not have a candidate in the run-off. These results confirm the ongoing crisis in the right and stand to testify that it is deepening instead of coming to an end.

It would not be mistaken to conclude that the presidential elections campaign was marked by the spirit of nationalism. The political platform of the second-placed Mr. Siderov relied heavily on anti-Turkish and anti-Roma sentiments. The two minorities which represent about 10-12% of the population are unjustly used as a scapegoat to curb the feelings of all those who find themselves on the loosing side after sixteen years of political and economic transition. In any case, the presence of ultra-nationalist on the second round of the elections is a dirty stain on the image of Bulgaria shortly before accession to the EU.

However, the expected victory of Mr. Parvanov in the run-off would consolidate his influence in the political life, as well as the legitimacy of the ruling three-party coalition. Although the Presidential powers are limited and mostly formal, Mr. Parvanov skilfully uses his rights to allocate the high-ranking offices in the law-enforcing institutions in order to maximise his influence outside his mostly representative functions.

One of the crucial events during Mr. Parvanov’s second 5-year term will be Bulgarian accession to the European Union on the turn of the next year.

Working group on foreign policy, European integration and international relations of the National Council of BSY

Catégories: Bulgaria Europe