Daniel Smilov's comment:
There are already two emerging blocs for the presidential elections. One is around GERB and will be supported by “New Beginning“. It is unlikely that the candidate of this bloc will be Borisov, but this is not ruled out either: the GERB leader will keep his choice secret for as long as possible. The other large bloc will be of Eurosceptic candidates. We will certainly see a candidate of President Radev there - most likely the current Vice President Yotova. It is also very possible that Kostadin Kostadinov will get involved. The goal of this bloc will also be to reach a runoff, in which its votes will consolidate behind the stronger of the two candidates.
Unification around a meaningful candidacy
This state of affairs shows that the task of the democratic community is difficult and would become impossible if it appeared with more than one candidate in the elections. Therefore, the projection of a common, united and strong candidate should be its important goal next year.
The time until the elections seems long, but in view of the readiness of the democratic community, it may turn out to be insufficient. Therefore, unification around a meaningful candidacy should begin as soon as possible. Moreover, entering an electoral regime is important for the democratic community, because with support for the “Zhelyazkov” government for the sake of the eurozone, it risks losing face in relation to GERB and losing its sharpness. So far, this does not affect the electoral attitudes for PP-DB, but there is no visible expansion of potential voters.
The idea of DSB to come up with a discussion about a joint candidacy is a good start, especially if the other parties in the PP-DB coalition, as well as other organizations and individuals in the center-right, are included in this discussion. Before discussing names (ultimately the most important thing), it is still appropriate to start with principled and substantive questions that will structure future debates:
It is necessary to expand the electoral base
1) Who enters the “democratic community“: The loud name “democratic community“ needs explanation and clarification. In general, it is clear that a large part of this concept is covered by representatives and supporters of PP-DB and some smaller formations in the center-right and liberal spectrum. However, the democratic community is not exclusively defined by party, and this gives access to other electorates, as well as to many who are disappointed with the currently existing parties. In fact, the meaningful scope of this concept should include all pro-European supporters of democracy in Bulgaria, who believe that corruption is a serious defect that can be eliminated. Pro-Europe and against entrenched corruption in Bulgarian politics and the judicial system - this is generally the focus of this segment;
2) Should there be early elections for a common candidate:
Primary or early elections are a technology. If the political parties of the democratic community cannot agree otherwise, early elections are an appropriate tool for resolving the dispute. These elections have advantages and disadvantages. The advantage is that the winner of the primary elections will gain electoral momentum and will be more recognizable, will enter the presidential election as the winner. The downside of early voting is that the campaign can be negative and alienate some voters and actually lose votes in the real election.
Also, in primaries, more extreme candidates generally win, while in the real election, centrists more often win. And most importantly, the early broadcast of a candidate will give the others the opportunity to try to smear him or at least adjust their own strategies as effectively as possible in relation to the opponent. But if the parties of the democratic community cannot agree on a common candidacy without early elections, whatever their shortcomings, they remain the only meaningful option;
What the future candidate will be and how to choose him
3) Open or closed primaries: If a decision is made to hold primaries, it makes more sense for them to be open to all voters, rather than intra-party. This is because, in principle, there are very few party members in Bulgaria, and this would turn the elections into an exercise for party assets. It is true that opening the elections could lead to their manipulation by ill-wishers. But the democratic community has the ambition to prove to Bulgarians that electronic voting and other forms of remote voting are applicable in Bulgaria: an open primaries would be a clear demonstration of the applicability of this electoral technology in the country;
4) More liberal or more conservative candidate: This is a good question that can be resolved within the framework of primaries. In general, there is no clear and unambiguous answer. The liberal Nikusor Dan won the elections in Romania quite convincingly (although unexpectedly). The conservative wave created by the election of Trump in the US is currently of unclear strength, as the policy of the new American administration, to put it mildly, generates ambiguous reactions. In many countries, there is also an anti-Trump consolidation, which led to electoral victories (in Canada and elsewhere). Trump's support for the “Alternative for Germany“ (AfD) in Germany and for Georgescu in Romania has wrinkled many European foreheads. Based on all this, the democratic community in Bulgaria should be very careful and rather try to go beyond the divisions that Donald Trump generates, rather than enter into his aggressive and polarizing rhetoric;
5) Free democracy: Whatever happens, it is clear that the democratic community is the main advocate for liberal democracy in Bulgaria. This term had lost its meaning during the transition, to the extent that it had become the subject of a huge consensus. Now, however, we need to return to the basics: popular sovereignty and people's freedom are two foundations, neither of which can be sacrificed. Both must be defended. Therefore, majorities cannot prohibit freedom of speech, just as they cannot close and punish universities that do not follow their ideas. Even in the USA, established institutions such as Harvard are threatened: in such a situation, the democratic community in Bulgaria has no right to split and self-marginalize, but must fight as seriously and concentrated as possible to maintain and preserve free democracy in our country and in Europe;
One dividing line has already fallen
6) The war in Ukraine: It has already become clear that Russia does not want the war to stop before its complete victory. This victory would include territorial control over a large part of Ukraine (at least four regions) plus indirect Russian control over the internal politics of this country (through disarmament, “denazification“, the replacement of Zelensky, etc.). It would also include NATO's withdrawal from Eastern Europe or its maximum weakening. Trump tried to stop the war under other conditions, but it is clear that he failed. So there is no longer a choice between support for Trump (supposedly “stopping the war“) and support for Ukraine and the EU. In fact, it becomes abundantly clear that there are only two positions: support for a Russian victory in Ukraine or support for the defense of an independent Ukraine with possible membership of this country in the EU, with military guarantees for its existence. It is clear where the US, Europe and Ukraine stand on this issue. It is also clear where Bulgaria and the Bulgarian democratic community stand. So Ukraine should not be a dividing line in the projection of a single candidate for the community;
7) European integration: The democratic community has been and should remain the engine of European integration. Things do not end with Bulgaria's entry into the eurozone. The EU itself should become a much closer union of sovereign states, especially in the field of defense, which could not happen without progress in fiscal integration. The early elections can become a platform for clarifying the positions of the candidates on such issues;
Other strategic goals
8) Goals beyond eurozone membership: It is very important to start a meaningful debate about Bulgaria's strategic goals after possible eurozone membership. The creation of technological champions in the Bulgarian economy, the reduction of inequalities between the capital and the country, the attraction of specialists and labor to deal with the demographic crisis, the stay and return of Bulgarian youth in Bulgaria, etc. are obvious goals that the democratic community can and should prioritize. And a preliminary campaign can also create broad public support for these and similar goals;
9) Nestinarism or Orthodoxy: This otherwise important issue does not require taking sides during the primary elections, but it can be used to lighten the mood. After all, there is room for a sense of humor in politics. As long as it does not go to the point where Nestinarism or religious education become a mandatory subject in the curriculum.
There is no pause in politics. The democratic community cannot function on pause until Bulgaria joins the eurozone. Nominating a common candidate for the upcoming presidential elections is a good way for this community to be in good political condition. And to be ready for any election.