POLITICAL LIFE

 

The major difficulty of the transitional period which Bulgaria had to face summarizes in the intrigues of the "national network" and the consequences of these intrigues.

Indeed, 3 groups: the "Nomenklatura" of the former communist regime, members of the relevant Security units of the former regime playing shamelessly the "criminalization card", and those which had been driven out of business at the end of the Second World War, in an extremely discrete way, endeavoured to take control of the country independently one from the other!

The Nomenklatura knew to last by controlling economic information, the essential commercial and political contacts. The laws to draw them aside from power had not only long to be waited for but their application remained very laxist.

The second group, primarily made up of "victims" of the first had to reach understanding with the old Nomenklatura and the members of the relevant Security units of the former regime. Only "legitimacy" did not compensate for experience and competences to occupy alone the field!

The first years, a number of significant political positions (ministers, deputies, diplomats, etc....) were occupied by intellectuals who proved to be unable to set up a renewed economic and political system in Bulgaria. The members of the previous Security Organs and their criminalized arm didn't miss the opportunity....

The race for the monopolization of the economic means of the country was launched without any consideration for the future of Bulgaria and even less that of the Bulgarians! It was necessary to await autumn 1996 to see appearing the first inclinations of economic reforms (for the political reforms, it was even later!).

Since, painful reforms (before all for the population) are implemented and the "positive results" are still expected…. Are added to that corruption affairs in a large number afflicting close to the whole of the political chess-board. The resulting lassitude of the Bulgarian electorate is noticed by a strongly declining participation (55% for the 2nd turn of the last Presidential election) and repeted "sanction" votes that some claim to be versatility!

The next electoral appointment is in June 2005: Parliament should be renewed! The results and prospective future of the actors of the Bulgarian political life will undoubtedly be interesting....

next