site.btaBulgarian Politicians Comment on Snap Parliamentary Elections

As she went to cast her vote in the April 19 snap parliamentary elections Sunday, President Iliana Iotova said her vote went "to have a working Parliament soon, and a strong government". "I voted so that Bulgaria has a working National Assembly soon, which will elect a leadership swiftly, skip the bargaining and delays we have seen previously, and form quickly a strong government because the problems are not waiting," the head of State told the press after voting. Iotova also said that Bulgaria needs "a normal, working and real Parliament-backed budget because entire systems are grinding and about to halt".

Casting his vote in Sunday's parliamentary elections in Blagoevgrad, caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov said he voted for a country in which entering parliament is done with ideas and policies, not with bundles of cash. Gurov said he voted for a state in which politicians govern with decency and do not become arrogant, and in which the police work lawfully, with honour and dignity, "and do not leave when the going gets tough".

Casting his vote, Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev said he voted for a strong Bulgaria in a strong Europe. "This is what I want us to leave to our children," he added.

Having cast his ballot in Sofia, Progressive Bulgaria leader Rumen Radev said: "Today Bulgaria has a historic chance to break once and for all with the Peevski-Borissov oligarchic model, and this is an opportunity we must not miss." Radev said voting was the only way to "drown vote-buying in a sea of free votes". He stressed that the top priority after election day was forming a stable government capable of addressing citizens' problems. Asked about potential coalitions, Radev said his party was open to cooperation with any formation that genuinely shares its programme.

After voting in Sofia's Bankya neighbourhood, GERB leader Boyko Borissov said his party will not take part in coalitions and will instead engage in talks on specific issues, particularly in geopolitics and defence, where it will act as a constructive opposition. According to him, the chances of forming a government after Sunday's elections are very slim, as GERB will not participate in coalition arrangements. "We already made our compromises in coalitions, in providing support. I do not see with whom we could form a coalition now," Borissov said.

Casting his vote in Sunday's parliamentary elections in Montana, Union of Democratic Forces (UDF) leader Rumen Hristov said he is voting for the well-being of the Bulgarian people, for higher incomes and higher pensions. He noted that there should be an increase in the country's gross domestic product and accelerated economic growth.

Casting his vote in his hometown of Haskovo, Continue the Change leader Assen Vassilev said he hopes Bulgarians will opt for a truly European Bulgaria. He said he was encouraged by the high turnout, noting that he had to wait for about 15 minutes to cast his vote. He urged citizens to be active, stressing that voter participation is key. "Go out and vote. Today we have a unique chance not to have to protest again, but with our votes to form a parliament that works for all Bulgarian citizens," Vassilev said.

After voting in Sofia on Sunday, Yes, Bulgaria Co-chair Bozhidar Bozhanov said: "I voted for a strong Bulgaria in a strong Europe, and for the dismantling of the state capture model." Dismantling the model of state capture is also important for allowing Bulgaria's economy and business sector to develop and for people to achieve higher incomes, Bozhanov said, adding that the justice system is what holds back Bulgaria's development.

Casting his vote in Sunday's parliamentary elections, Yes, Bulgaria Co-leader Ivaylo Mirchev said he voted for Bulgaria to free itself "from the corruption model that has dominated it for many years" and "to reaffirm its European path". Asked whether Sunday's vote would break the cycle of snap elections, he said he firmly believed this would be the case. "That is why it is very important that everyone, including those who are still uncertain, goes out and casts their vote."

After casting his vote on Sunday, Movement for Rights and Freedoms Leader Delyan Peevski said: "Today Bulgarian citizens are choosing what kind of country they want to live in and whom they will entrust with responsibility for their future. I chose the state of the people, voting for more state capacity, prosperity and security for the people."

After casting his vote in Varna, Vazrazhdane leader Kostadin Kostadinov said he was glad to see a much higher voter turnout. He added that, for the first time, he had seen a queue of people waiting to vote. "There really may be more voters than in the past 15-20 years, so that is a positive development," Kostadinov said. He added that he had voted for Bulgaria's future, for a free and independent Bulgaria. "I voted for our children, for the children of Bulgaria - in short, I voted for Vazrazhdane," Kostadinov said.

Casting his vote in Sunday's parliamentary elections, Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) Krum Zarkov said he voted for a fairer Bulgaria, for a Bulgaria in which no one is above the law, but also for a Bulgaria that fairly distributes the wealth. "I am confident of a good result and I am sure that better days lie ahead," he said. He said he had fulfilled his civic duty because he cares about what is happening in the country. 

Casting his vote in Sunday's parliamentary elections, There Is Such a People (TISP) Deputy Chair Stanislav Balabanov said he voted in the name of protecting children and preserving the traditional Bulgarian family. Balabanov said he had voted so that society would no longer allow political formations to patronize and create sects. "I voted for normality, predictability and practicality," he added.

Ahmed Dogan, honorary chairman of the Alliance for Rights and Freedoms, said he voted for a fairer Bulgaria with more statehood. He cast a paper ballot in Sunday's snap parliamentary elections. Dogan said that when it comes to the rule of law, effective state institutions come first, adding that state capacity has been in short supply in recent years. He said young people remain a priority across Europe, and expressed hope that the next parliament would take serious steps to improve their living standards and prospects.

Casting his vote in Sunday's parliamentary elections, the Morality, Unity, Honour (MECh) party leader Radostin Vasilev said young people can make the difference today. "I voted with the confidence that a fair Bulgaria lies ahead and that we can achieve it only through a high voter turnout," Vasilev added, expressing hope for strong electoral participation.

Ivelin Mihaylov, leader of the Velichie party, which has the smallest of nine groups in Parliament, said: "Let's return the State to the Bulgarian people." "I am heading to Kardzhali [Southern Bulgaria], I will help as much as I can to give courage to people who are in a feudal dependency, if we can stop vote buyers," he said.

Siyanie leader Nikolay Popov said he voted for "a pure and sacred cause, after casting his ballot in Sofia. "I want a fairer Bulgaria, one without corruption. I dream of a Bulgaria where our children live happily and freely, without being killed," Popov said.