It is difficult to judge whether the PP-DB will come second in the elections, but there is no doubt that the inspiration has left PP-DB voters and will lead to a refusal to participate. This was commented by political scientist Hristo Panchugov in an interview with BNR.
“The political campaign itself will be extremely important. I am afraid that at this point some of the clichés such as opposition, sticking labels, are known and do not impress anyone,” explained the political scientist.
And he added: “What is missing is an adequate narrative of what is to come – “Yes, we have never been a real coalition” – they talk about GERB-SDS. And PP-DB say that “Peevski is the main enemy”. With the former, there is a stable majority, and none in the others”.
He recalled that GERB, from being in absolute isolation, turned out to be part of one administration in just one year. “The other story – PP-DB is in the role of the victim, “several times it tries to achieve something in Bulgarian politics and fails. It remains to get a new story,” commented Panchugov.
The political scientist stated that the removal of the chairman Rosen Zhelyazkov was expected:
“The conflict was inevitable. The vote was as senseless as the overthrow of Nikola Minchev in a previous parliament. Such an act is a demonstration, not a political request to create some kind of coalition.”
Panchugov predicts that there will be surprises in the new parliament with new political players on the brink of the 4 percent entry threshold.
“These are formations that play with the patriotic vote, but with some acceptable Euroscepticism, not with the militant fascism of “Vazrazhdane”. These are MECH and Kuzman Iliev’s new formation – “Bulgaria can”. The question is not even whether they will have support, and whether the low voter turnout will not bring more political subjects into the parliament”.
Panchugov expects surprises from the presentation of Vanya Grigorova’s left-wing formation, based on her successful campaign in Sofia as a candidate for mayor.
“Radev’s inclusion depends on the projects that he will support in these elections. If he does not lead any of the projects, they are doomed to failure. I do not think that he will join this battle directly,” commented the political scientist.
Panchugov defined the transition of Elena Yoncheva to the ranks of the DPS for the EP as a “huge provocation”.
“There are no innocents. Both parties are responsible – GERB-SDS and PP-DB, for the failed rotation. And this will also become visible during the elections – low voter turnout. I do not think that mobilization of the electorate is possible, unless we see sharp changes in the strategies of the parties”, Hristo Panchugov is convinced.
