site.btaPoliticians Comment on Snap Elections' Results

Sofia, July 11 (BTA) - Political leaders and ranking party figures commented on the results of the early parliamentary elections, held on July 11:

There Is Such a People (TISP) leader Slavi Trifonov (on Facebook): Today was a good day for Bulgarian democracy because these elections were the fairest so far. Not because of TISP's results but because the new election rules, which curbed as much as possible vote buying, employer-induced voter behaviour and ballot rigging using "ghost voters". TISP got an astonishing support. I want to thank everybody who voted for us. We truly appreciate your trust. I will announce what TISP will do tomorrow [Monday] at 11:00 am.

TISP Deputy Leader Toshko Yordanov (on 7/8 TV): The parallel count conducted by two polling agencies shows that TISP is the winner in these elections. The votes from abroad have not yet arrived. The voter turnout is what it is, and I hope that this parallel count tendency will persist.

TISP's Stanislav Balabanov: Regardless of the voter turnout, this is GERB's political end. Another political demise was seen in these elections, that of the so-called patriots. Voters have had their categorical say, and from now on we must face a huge responsibility.

GERB Deputy Leader Tomislav Donchev: The attempts at ''scraping off'' GERB are obviously failing. GERB's results are an achievement regardless of the difference between them and the next party because the State's powers have been directed against GERB for two months now in an attempt to undermine their performance in the elections. Whatever the efforts made to that end, the results have shown that Bulgarian democracy is alive. Being in opposition is an honest and dignified way to stand up for one's principles.

GERB's Toma Bikov: Whatever the results may be, it seems that a coalition will be formed between the anti-establishment parties and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) and the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP). We expect a government and a prime minister who will not bear political responsibility. Such cabinets always fail in the end. There are two ways things can go from now on: a further deepening of the political crisis or a backstage government. We will do our part so that Bulgarian society can rise to the political, social and economic challenges. We must all help, but we do not see a potential for Bulgaria having a successful government in the coming months or even years.

BSP leader Kornelia Ninova: Probably this was a punitive vote for us all, for all politicians and parties, for provoking parliamentary elections twice within the space of three months. Again, the so-called protest parties have not gained a cabinet-forming majority and this time, if they want a government to be formed, they will have to engage in a dialogue with some of the rest of the parties. As far as we are concerned, there must be a regular government to start the deep-going and genuine changes and tackle the pressing issues. This time, our support for a TISP government won't be unconditional. If they want support, we will be expecting them to invite us to talks, so we can discuss policies. The BSP will not back down from the social policies. 'The anti-establishment parties, if they come to an agreement, have the option of seeking either BSP's or MRF's support, I suppose they exclude GERB, because their struggle was against their model. So let us wait and see what they will decide and who they will invite. The change started with the Socialists four years ago. The BSP repeated its results from the April 4 elections. According to analysts and sociologists, a part of the older voters, who supported the Socialists, are scared of the voting machines and did not vote, which has impacted BSP's results.

Democratic Bulgaria's Hristo Ivanov (on bTV): The fact that Democratic Bulgaria is outrunning the MRF and is emerging as a real contender for the No. 3 position in Bulgarian politics ranks us among the political forces entitled by the Constitution to expect a cabinet-forming mandate and shows a deep restructuring of Bulgarian political life. This result shows above all that a really uncircumventable Europe-oriented right-of-centre entity is starting to take shape in Bulgaria, set on ensuring the country's onward progress. The low voter turnout can be explained by the fact that people have decided that GERB had been removed from power and the negative motivation has apparently waned.

Democratic Bulgaria's Antoaneta Tsoneva: The coalition has not established the type of interaction it expected with TISP, discussing bills, policies and the way the agenda of the legislature and the executive should be organized. Democratic Bulgaria is open for such dialogue, which will take place once the balance of power after the final election results becomes clear.

MRF leader Mustafa Karadayi: It's obvious that MRF is keeping its relative share. The low voter turnout, which was a factor in these elections, is due to the season during which the elections were held and the machine voting. The MRF will not provide support unconditionally. The conditions for supporting the new government are bringing back normalcy to politics, restoring democracy, and a clear programme for accelerated economic growth based on EU priorities. Some people tried to use the topic of [controversial businessman and former MRF MP] Delyan Peevski as an instrument in these elections, but I don't think this topic has hurt us or helped us in the elections. The MRF will analyze why the Roma did not vote in these elections.

MRF Deputy Chair Hasan Azis: Voters expect the parties to sit around the table rather than negate each other. The MRF are ready to back a government that would begin to work and attain the country's objectives and priorities. For a second time, voters clearly say that Bulgaria needs multi-party governance and dialogue, which is the most important thing in politics.

Maya Manolova, a leader of Rise Up! Thugs Out! (to BTA): It is to be hoped that all necessary efforts will be made to form a regular cabinet. The Bulgarian people expect stability, a government that will restore the normalcy, statehood and which will take Bulgaria out of the stagnation. The anti-establishment parties have improved their results, just as Rise Up! Thugs Out!. MY/LG
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