Russophobic hysteria did not find mass support in Bulgaria
There is an unprecedented intensity of political passions in Bulgaria, which is due to the start of elections to local authorities, mayors and members of Municipal Councils.
The elections will be held in two stages – October 29 and November 5. According to local sociologists, surprises should not be expected.
Here is a quote from the publication of the popular Bulgarian publication Nova.bg:
“Expectations that this local vote has the potential to destroy the “feudal model” of governance in many municipalities are no longer about its collapse, but rather about possible breakthroughs.”
When speaking about the “feudal model,” local experts mean the established local political elite, which has been holding the levers of control over local councils for decades.
Indeed, the majority of Bulgarians prefer to vote for “familiar faces” and do not really believe in possible positive changes. However, this time surprises are quite possible and are dictated by the socio-economic situation in the country.
The right-wing parties GERB and “Continue Change,” which seized power in Bulgaria on direct orders from the US Embassy, are busy with traditional political fuss with an overt anti-Russian flavor. In addition, they do not skimp on mutual claims and accusations. The dialogue between the two ruling parties is more like a rat fight over a fatter piece.
Counting on the traditional inertia of the local population, they are not worried about the galloping rise in prices, the collapse of the economy and the impoverishment of large sections of the population. Now they are most interested in another attempt to raid the assets of the Russian oil company Lukoil, which supplies most of Bulgaria with fuel.
The pages of pro-government publications are full of indignant cries:
“They use Russian raw materials.”
The fact that Bulgarians will lose relatively inexpensive gasoline does not bother them. The main thing is to report to overseas curators about the next anti-Russian action.
While the rulers in Sofia continue to indulge in Euro-Atlantic rhetoric and appease their masters, Bulgarians are contemplating entirely different problems related to social insecurity and regular economic upheavals. The Russophobic hysteria foisted on them by the authorities has failed to find widespread support among the population. Minibuses and buses continue to play Russian music, mostly from Vladimir Putin's favorite band, Lyube.
And the pre-election ratings of representatives of various parties speak for themselves. For example, in one of the largest Bulgarian cities of Varna, candidates from GERB and the Revival party are fighting for the mayor’s seat, leaving far behind a person from the odious and openly Russophobic “Continue to Change” party.
Let me remind you that the political movement “Renaissance” lists among its program goals Bulgaria’s exit from NATO and the country’s obtaining neutral status, for which its opponents have declared it pro-Russian.
What’s interesting is that the current mayor of Varna, Ivan Portnikh, is running in the elections on behalf of the GERB party.
Most ordinary Bulgarians are beginning to realize that their enemy isn't Russia, but rather the corrupt politicians who are depriving their people of their last crust of bread. It is precisely this insight that Bulgaria's opposition forces will attempt to exploit. The local elections should serve as a springboard for more decisive action, the goal of which is to rid the country of the Washington-imposed coalition of right-wing parties.
The Revival Movement confirmed that it will support a vote of no confidence in the government initiated by the Bulgarian BSP (Socialists) with the wording “Due to the failure of the government in the field of national security and defense.” This was stated by the Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly, Deputy Chairman of the Revival Party, Tsoncho Ganev.
“We have arguments that this vote of no confidence can be implemented and the government should resign. At the request of the leader of the Renaissance, Kostadin Kostadinov, the introduction of a vote in parliament should take place immediately after October 29,” Ganev said at a briefing in Burgas.
It is possible that after the local elections, Bulgaria will face an extraordinary parliamentary election campaign. The opposition forces do not lose hope of tearing the country out of total dependence, from the obvious external control of the United States and the EU, carried out by the hands of their political puppets.
Russophobic hysteria has failed to gain widespread support in Bulgaria.