site.btaPolitical Leaders Say They Have Voted for a Stable Government

Political Leaders Say They Have Voted for a Stable Government


Sofia, October 5 (BTA) - Bulgarian political leaders who cast
their ballot in Sunday's early parliamentary elections said they
 were voting for a stable government and a society of justice.

GERB party leader Boyko Borissov said people should vote in the
elections in order to entitle one or several parties to put
together a stable government. Otherwise there must be yet
another round of snap elections, but if that happens, GERB will
stay out of the election campaign, Borissov said. "If another
round of early elections has to be held, I must say that I will
not let GERB take part in the campaign. How the people will vote
 then will be their own business. But by that time there will be
 nothing left to remedy in the country, which means that the
nation's last chance is now. At present, there is still
something that can be salvaged through hard work, through a
concerted effort - and through compromise, if you will," he
said.

Borissov cast his ballot in the school in the Sofia suburb of
Bankya.

He said a high voter turnout would give the future power-holders
 the moral right to make reforms and solve problems. "Everything
 is in the hands of the people today," he said.

Borissov said he would support the election winner, whoever that
 may be. "If BSP beat us, I will support them without thinking
twice. If MRF beat us, I will support them without thinking
twice. If the Reformists rank first today, I will support them
unconditionally," he stated.

On Sunday night, GERB will not give a news conference at the
International Press Centre for the Elections, Borissov said.

* * *

After dropping his voting slip in the ballot box in Sofia's 41st
 Comprehensive School, Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) Chairman
Mihail Mikov said he had "voted for a Bulgaria of greater
justice, for a state which will be felt more tangibly by the
people, particularly by those who work, those who are
unemployed, and small and medium businesses."

Mikov said the situation in Bulgaria is far from good, because
there is division in society, a lack of public confidence in
government institutions, in politics and political parties,
self-isolation and an urge to escape from public life, which is
particularly strong in young people.

"Democracy means involvement, whether it is through Parliament,
through the municipal council, or through the residents'
assembly in the building where you live," Mikov said, adding
that problems can only be solved if voter turnout in the
elections is high.

Mikov said he availed himself of the right to preferential
voting.

* * *

Nikolai Barekov, leader of the Bulgaria without Censorship
party, said he has "voted for a parliament that can elect a
government capable of implementing necessary reforms."

Barekov spoke to journalists after casting his ballot in Paissii
 Hilendarski School in Bulgaria's second-largest city, Plovdiv.

"All politicians who perform well today will have a hard time
tomorrow, because Bulgaria expects a functioning parliament and
a functioning government," he said. Barekov sees a need for
serious reforms in the economy, public health and the energy
sector. He said the state should readjust its entire apparatus.
Bulgaria needs to elect a political majority now and spare
itself the drama of conducting elections over and over again,
Barekov said.

If Bulgaria elects a political majority, it will not matter if
some of the votes have been bought, he noted. "I hear and see
serious scandals in many parts of Bulgaria concerning the buying
 of votes, but this can be partly attributed to the good work
done by the Interior Ministry, because this means that some vote
 buyers have been caught," he said.

Barekov hopes that the next parliament will be elected on more
votes than the previous one. He said it would be good if the
division between incumbents and opposition is not so strong and
if there is greater consensus among the parliamentary parties,
which is necessary in order to make difficult reforms.