site.btaBulgarian Politicians Make Statements while Casting Ballots in EP Elections

May 26 (BTA) - Bulgarian politicians and party leaders 
made statements in front of journalists while casting their 
ballots in the European Parliament (EP) elections on Sunday.
 
President Rumen Radev

President Rumen Radev said Bulgaria's future, freedom, security
 and well-being will depend on the people and the ideas
supported  by voters in these elections. "This is why I call on
all  Bulgarians to vote and not leave their future to be decided
 by  someone else instead of them," he told journalists after
voting  here for Bulgaria's European Parliament members.

High voter turnout in these elections is the surest way to 
neutralize all attempts at domination by corporate, controlled 
or bought votes, the head of State said.

According to Radev, Bulgarians must come to realize that the 
current EP elections are no less important than national 
elections, because Europe and Bulgaria are at a crossroads. "We
 need a united and strong Europe of solidarity, which can make 
timely decisions in the interest of its citizens," he told 
journalists, adding that "we need a democratic Bulgaria that is
 strong with the rule of law and freedom of speech, with the 
effectiveness of its institutions and education, with the 
entrepreneurship, ideas and talents of its citizens".
 
Asked about his expectations about voter turnout, the President
 voiced hope that it will increase. "This is our
responsibility,"  he said, giving as an example an elderly
disabled man, who came  to vote in the school because he has a
sense of duty and civil  responsibility for the future of those
left after him.

Parliament Chair Tsveta Karayancheva

"I voted for a united, strong and stable Europe," said National
Assembly Chair Tsveta Karayancheva after casting her ballot in
the southeastern city of Kurdzhali. She also told journalists
that she voted for a Europe of the sound mind, and not of
populism and the far-left and far-right.

Prime Minister Boyko Borissov

After voting in Bankya, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov told
journalists: "Let us wish for these 17 [Bulgarian] MEPs to work
very actively and together so that during the negotiations we
could achieve good positions in the European Commission."

"We are Europe, and Europe should be the way we like it, which
means a secure, prosperous Europe with high incomes, security,
justice, and freedom," Borissov said.
 
Socialists' leader Kornelia Ninova

Speaking to journalists here while casting her ballot in the EP
 elections at the 25th Petar Beron Primary School, Bulgarian 
Socialist Party (BSP) leader Kornelia Ninova said she voted for
 change and justice, for a united and more social Europe, for 
Bulgarians to have their worthy place there and be equal to the
 other European peoples, to not eat lower quality food, for 
having European incomes and standard of living.

"Of course, I also voted for change in Bulgaria and for justice
 here," she further commented.

Ninova called on people to vote in the European elections. "I 
see that voter turnout here is low for now, but I believe that 
it will be higher in the afternoon, because it is crucial for 
everyone to vote," she said.  

Volya leader Vesselin Mareshki

Volya Party leader Vesselin Mareshki said he voted for 
mobilizing the Bulgarian people against political power brokers
 and fraudsters, for Bulgarians right to not be lied to and 
robbed and to live with dignity here and now. He was speaking to
  journalists after casting his ballot in the EP elections at
the  Golden Sands Black Sea resort.
 
Mareshki said that Bulgaria's right to be a strong country and 
worthy EU Member must be upheld  in Europe.
 
Ataka leader Volen Siderov

Ataka leader Volen Siderov said he voted for an annex to the 
Treaty with EU and more money for Bulgaria, equal minimum 
pensions and wages across Europe and lifting the sanctions 
against Russia. "These are our three causes," he said after 
casting his ballot in a Sofia high school that houses his voting
  section. 
Siderov noted that these three causes are a compensation for the
  damages suffered by Bulgaria from its EU accession, during 
which some of the Kozloduy N-plant's units were shut down. "Now
 we want what's ours from the EU - to get it back and we will 
fight for it," he said.

The Ataka leader further said that politicians are to blame for
 voters low interest in politics, adding that it is their job to
  return this interest and make people feel committed when 
voting.

Siderov said he expects vote buying in these elections as well,
 recalling that since 1990 he has participated and observed 
elections in Bulgaria, and vote-buying has always been present.

NFSB leader Valeri Simeonov

NFSB leader Valeri Simeonov said he voted for Bulgaria to have 
brave and active people in the European Parliament, who can get
 the job done. He further noted that he voted for a Europe of 
nations, adding that Europe will not be the type it is elected 
to be, but the type people make it.

VMRO leader Krassimir Karakachanov

VMRO-BND leader Krassimir Karakachanov commented that he voted 
for Bulgaria to have true MEPs, who will protect this country 
and its interests in the European Parliament.

The Bulgarian interest must be a priority in Europe, 
Karakachanov said. When Bulgarians go to the EP or the European
 Commission, it is not their job to show how well they speak 
English and how they get along with the other European 
officials, but to protect the Bulgarian interests, he said.

MRF leader Moustafa Karadayi

"I voted for peace, democracy, tolerance and a more worthy life
 for everyone in Bulgaria and young people," said Movement for 
Rights and Freedoms (MRF) leader Moustafa Karadayi when casting
 his ballot in Kurdzhali.

He further noted that he voted for Bulgaria's accelerated 
development, which can catch up within Europe and the EU, 
stressing that his party bets on young people.

MY, RY/MY, DS