site.btaVarious Political Leaders Cast Their Votes, Most Say They Vote for Change

October 27 (BTA) - Bulgarian Socialist Party leader
Kornelia Ninova cast her local elections vote at the 25th Petar
Beron Primary School in the capital, saying to reporters: "I
voted in favor of changing the status quo, for a cleaner,
greener, tidier and more modern Sofia".

She stated that she voted for a city in which the security of
every Sofia citizen is guaranteed, for the better future
development of the city and for the well-being of each of its
residents and the municipality.

Ataka party leader Volen Siderov, who is also a candidate for
mayor of Sofia, cast his vote at the First Private Mathematics
High School in the capital.

He told reporters that he voted for Sofia to finally have a man
for mayor who is determined to do what is most important the
city, which is to deal with drug dealers "poisoning our
children" and criminals who rob houses, apartments and offices.

"I will definitely not be returning to the National Assembly,"
he said in response to a question on whether he would withdraw
his resignation as an MP.

National Front for the Salvation of Bulgaria party leader Valery
 Simeonov said that he voted for a change in the town of Bourgas
 and all across Bulgaria. He cast his vote at the Nayden Gerov
Elementary School in the Bourgas Meden Rudnik district. Simeonov
 added that he voted for true patriots who have the will and
energy to make a change for the better and for those who know
how to solve problems without sweeping them under the rug.

"The only change I expect is that the Volya party will have
representatives in the Municipal Councils in all regional cities
 and in much smaller municipalities," said Deputy Speaker of
Parliament and leader of Volya Veselin Mareshki after casting
his vote in Varna.

"I voted for a change in order to make Kardzhali a better place
to live so that our children can return," said National Assembly
 Chair Tsveta Karayancheva after casting her vote in the Eastern
 Rhodope town. She urged her fellow citizens to come out and
vote as well.

Asked by reporters whether the local election could affect the
political situation as a whole, she was adamant: "By no means!",
 and added that parliamentary elections should not be expected
after these.

VMRO-BND party leader Krassimir Karakachanov cast his vote at
the 134th Dimcho Debelyanov School in Sofia. "I voted with the
idea that it is high time we realize that Sofia is not only the
centre and the "yellow pavements" [a respectable pavement of
ceramic blocks in the centre of the capital, a linguistic symbol
 of central Sofia]," said Karakachanov. He pointed out that
nearly 2 million citizens live in the capital, with most of them
 living in the suburbs, concrete complexes and villages and that
 that is where much more attention should be.

Karakachanov added that he also voted for more order and
security, for "breaking" the ghettos and integrating their
residents. RY/DT


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