The political performance ended happily - with a wedding of the main protagonists Borisov and Peevski. But the meager result of the efforts of the GERB leader is a demonstration of weakness, writes Daniel Smilov.
The comedy that took place in the political theater in our country turned out to be a variation of the well-known play by Oscar Wilde "The Importance of Being Earnest". Both the original and its domestic interpretation ended happily with a wedding of the main protagonists. In the second case, it was delicately hinted at by the publication by the DPS PR of a photo from the event with the smiling Delyan Peevski and Boyko Borisov – one openly triumphant, the other mysterious like the Mona Lisa.
Who benefited from the performance?
The comic moment in our play was that the main protagonist Borisov wanted to demonstrate his power, until in the end the exact opposite happened. None of his ideas for change were actually accepted and it was not clear why all the fuss was made. No changes in ministers followed, there was actually no reformatting of the parliamentary majority, it is not clear what will happen with the committees in parliament and whether Delyan Peevski will head any of them. (The answer is rather no.)
GERB spokesmen trumpet that there was benefit from the performance because supposedly all participants in the government "took their responsibility". But how and why this happened is not at all understandable. ITN, for example, kept a proud silence and left the audience wondering whether they had already sensed Delyan Peevski or not. BSP turned out to be ready to take on everything, but this was the case even before Boyko Borisov's theatrical performance. MRF-New Beginning are also formally where they were – outside the coalition. And informally they are in it in the same way that they were present before.
The only real change would be the "rotation" of the parliament speakers. But here too it is not clear whether this will happen and who exactly will rotate. GERB wants to take the post, but will they allow a replacement after their turn? The very fact that there is no discussion of who will be next after Raya Nazaryan – whether MRF, ITN or BSP again – demonstrates that "rotation" is simply a fig leaf to take the post away from BSP with a view to early elections. There will probably be some despite Peevski's spells - the question is whether they will be with the presidential vote or before. The rush with Kiselova suggests the second option.
The power of weakness
Boyko Borisov is an experienced politician with an undeniable theatrical talent and cannot help but understand that the meager result of his efforts is a demonstration of weakness. After Pazardzhik, he was clearly irritated by the fact that Delyan Peevski's strategy of overexposing his strength was yielding results. The complete conversion of local structures to the MRF, while previously they had worked for GERB satellites, showed the attractiveness for the clientele of the energetic and assertive Peevski, who has no scruples about using the police and services in his march to power. Borisov's irritation seems to come from the fact that he himself is the official channel through which Peevski can feel politically strong. Without Borisov, New Beginning would simply be the fourth party in a fragmented parliament and Peevski would be unwanted and unnecessary for a majority. Borisov decided (autonomously or not) that he would tear apart the "cordon" against Peevski, which had already been built. And then he expelled both PP-DB and APS from the potential majorities, so that Peevski would become inevitable. And against the backdrop of these "heroic acts" Borisov does not want to appear as a "second violin" or even a second percussion instrument in the ruling assembly.
The unsuccessful demonstration of hard power, however, had an unexpected effect, which Borisov immediately began to take advantage of. A weak position creates popular sympathy ever since the Bulgarian Renaissance. As in "The Long-Suffering Genoveva" the audience sheds tears and encourages the weak side, which has fallen into an unenviable situation, so Borisov sought the people's sympathy for the mess he himself found himself in. And he tells the heartbreaking story of how he invited the PP-DB to save him, but, alas, they callously did not respond. What is left of him is the ceremonial photo with Novo nachlacho…
This trick always seems to work and the Facebook audience has received enough friendly shouts: "Don't cry, Marie, Genoveva is alive in the forest!"
A trivial comedy for serious people
The subtitle of Wilde's play is "A Trivial Comedy for Serious People". Those who explain the otherwise inexplicable bond between Peevski and Borisov with some hidden dependencies are probably right. Borisov himself betrays the platoon, hinting in careless statements what it is about. First, he stated that Peevski "respects" him, while he himself "does" whatever Peevski tells him. Then Borisov announced that he is not afraid of "neither Radev, nor Peevski, nor criminals", leaving the demarcation between the three categories of actors in his statement unclear.
There is another explanation for the relationship between Borisov and Peevski, however. Peevski has demonstrated that in a single day he can switch from one camp to another. Be with Borisov or against him (2013-2014). To provide aid to Ukraine or not, depending on the signals from the US and Trump. To be a liberal or a Trumpist. This flexibility seems to be tempting and advantageous for Borisov, who does not want to remain on the losing side if, say, Russia wins the war or the EU reaches a serious crisis. Then Borisov and Peevski will together look for ways to fit into new majorities - be it with "Vazrazhdane", "Velichy" or someone else. Borisov knows that in such a situation Radev will be the main winner, but by staying with Peevski he is trying to "hedge" against his double isolation on geopolitical and anti-corruption lines. From this point of view, Peevski gives Borisov the opportunity to be both a pro-European Atlanticist for the moment and to become a "patriot" if things turn the other way. Ultimately, the "Magnitsky" coalition may turn out to be an alliance of active fighters against the West and America, if, God forbid, some new September 9th with an Eastern flavor comes. In this sense, Borisov is right to link his fears for the fate of Bulgaria and his own fate with the war in Ukraine.
Oscar Wilde's play "The Importance of Being Earnest" is a triumph in the writer's career and the peak of his fame. However, two months after the successful premiere, he was convicted and imprisoned on charges of indecent behavior, which are unjust and unacceptable from a modern perspective. It seems inevitable that our trivial comedy will also end in a scandal. But still, let's hope it is within the framework of reason, justice, and will be beneficial for European integration, peace, and humanity.