The election of Krum Zarkov as chairman of the BSP is good news not only for the party, but also for political life in Bulgaria.
This was stated to the Bulgarian National Radio by Parvan Simeonov, an analyst from the sociological agency "Myara".
"This will increase the BSP's chances of crossing the barrier in these elections as well. The appearance of Rumen Radev on the field very seriously threatens it to remain below the line. But with the fresh energy that Krum Zarkov exudes, it seems to me that it has much greater chances.
This is also good news for Radev himself, because he gets a natural potential partner in the next parliament.
Krum Zarkov is one of the few remaining politicians on the ground who are truly prepared, people who have substance, political conversation, have a professional and educational biography behind them that inspires authority".
Parvan Simeonov listed the factors that he expects to lead to higher voter turnout.
"One of them is the protests, which will most likely lead to a surge in PP-DB. The second is the emergence of a new formation of Rumen Radev. The third - the general mobilization of everyone. These elections will be very important for everyone.
If a political movement is created around the father of the tragically deceased girl or if we have a clear request from the government, if he goes radical, that will also be further electrifying.
In Bulgaria, traditionally, about 3 and a half million people voted years ago. Now less than two and a half million people vote. This must change. The choice is left only to the hard core. They are fierce towards the other. People who increasingly choose based on hatred. A high level of activity can restore the legitimacy of elected institutions.
Simeonov also reminded of a study by the "Myara" agency, which showed very low trust in the fairness of the electoral process after the last parliamentary vote in our country.
"Numbers that testify to the low legitimacy of the elections, and hence of democracy itself.".
It is not the procedure that determines the activity, but the menu, the sociologist emphasized.
"There is a new major player on the field and this makes me think that there may be a significantly higher activity.
This new major player, probably with other players, will have to think wisely and calmly about fixing an electoral procedure that will create confidence among Bulgarians that the elections are fair. Changes in electoral legislation should be one of the first concerns, and not be made at 12 to 5.
Paper and pen are proving to be something contraindicated for this situation. We should probably move towards other forms of counting and increasing the share of machine voting".
The problems are piling up and could lead to "an outbreak that comes from the counterculture that is maturing in social media", he noted on the show "Nedelya 150".
"The world is falling apart before us. Bulgaria is in a difficult financial situation. There is a new storyline in two or three days – with the prices of electricity bills. Under the surface remain the problems with the introduction of the euro, associated in the mass consciousness with price increases.
Simeonov also said that for three or four months he has been allowing the possibility that "Borisov will try to break away from Peevski".
"And if an anti-Peevski majority is formed around Radev, including for a new Supreme Judicial Council, then what prevents Borisov from trying to jump to this shore? I have not seen a single closed door from Radev. But under the surface he has formed an opinion. It will become clear after the elections.".
Rumen Radev continues to remain in the presidential role "and this is correct from a PR point of view," Simeonov explained.
"The presidential role requires you to be more reserved, not to label yourself. That way, they will beat you harder. You retain some enigmaticity.
Turns should be taken smoothly. Just as Radev is taking another turn - opening the door to the PP-DB. For at least half a year, the presidential institution has been making gestures towards the liberal community in Bulgaria. The latest is Radev's position against limiting voting in countries outside the EU. He said: "The status quo limits the right of Bulgarians abroad to vote". If Gyurov becomes the acting prime minister, this will be an additional opening of this door. This time from Yotova, who will probably rely on support from the democratic community in the second round of the presidential elections. A turn is slowly being taken towards a thematic majority between Radev, the PP-DB and perhaps someone else.
One of the big problems in our country is the bright words that burn bridges. Radev is trying to reduce this pathos. He is now talking about compromises. He is trying to reduce the excessive expectations for himself, to maintain a normal tone, because he knows that compromises will be imposed on him. This is a request that is profitable from the point of view of political pragmatism".