Hristo Panchugov: I expect surprises from MECH, “Bulgaria can” and parties on the edge of 4 percent – From the day

Hristo Panchugov

Photo: BGNES

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’m afraid that at this point some of the clichés like opposition, sticking labels, are known and don’t impress anyone”explained the political scientist.

And he added:

“What is missing is an adequate narrative of what lies ahead – “Yes, we have never been a real coalition” – they say about GERB-SDS. And PP-DB say that “Peevski is the main enemy”. With the former there is a stable majority, and with the others there is none”.

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.

Regarding the removal of Chairman Rosen Zhelyazkov, he said that it was expected:

“The conflict was inevitable. The vote was as pointless 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, but whether the low electoral activity 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 he will support in these elections. If he does not lead any of the projects, they are doomed to failure. I don’t think it will turn on directly in this battle,” commented the political scientist.

For him, the acceptance of Elena Yoncheva to join the ranks of the DPS for the EP is 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 don’t think it is possible to mobilize the electorate, unless we see drastic changes in the strategies of the parties,” Hristo Panchugov is convinced.

Listen to the entire interview in the audio file.