The honeymoon of the National Movement Simeon II is now over.

Floating through the clouds, its politicians won the parliamentary elections, and with the backing of widespread public support, most of the first 100 days of the new government were a relatively easy affair. But all that has ended now.

Recent polls show a 20 point decline in the approval ratings for the new government, a testament to it either promising too much, or doing too little. The country and the government now see that there are less than 700 days left until the lives of Bulgarians are improved and the NMSII has some work to do to prove to people this will happen.

With the way things have gone lately, it looks as if some people would be quite happy if the government didn't last that long.

A fantastic web of illusions had been spun until lately. Election promises based on very few solid facts or promises won the parliamentary elections. Some of the government's few actions to date have been very high profile, creating a feel that more is being done than actually is. Take customs for example, while there have been a rash of firings and "discoveries" of corruption, the actual effect of the crusading reforms will not be felt for quite some time.

Up until lately, the communications department of the government was doing a good job. The image of a big difference between the new ruling party and its predecessors was spun in a favourable light - a fresh new outlook and optimism existed for Bulgaria.

Unfortunately, however, reality has begun to set in with Bulgarians. Concessions made to the IMF have thrown some of the NMSII's lofty campaign promises out the window. A lack of tangible action is now being seen as people review the first 100 days of the government.

The inexperienced former Bulgarian expatriates are now seeing that things will be a little tougher. Citizens lack 800-day patience and a couple of bad announcements can completely change an electorate's view of its rulers.

The new breed of politicians should no longer be wet behind the ears and need to start acting like experienced rulers. A trend of increasing criticism has begun and lofty statements and staged events will no longer stem this tide. The time has come for tangible action and for people to start being able to cash in on what the country's newest political force promised in its short election campaign.

Legislation is moving at a snail's pace in Parliament. The legislative machine is not coming close to approaching capacity. Privatization has been talked about, some announcements have been made, but until any of the big profile companies the Council of Ministers keeps talking about privatizing get put up on the selling block, promises are not coming close to being kept.

One hundred days passed this week and broken promises and a lack of action far outweighed any significant accomplishments. While more sober minds may allow for a transition period before a government can really get going, much of the Bulgarian population look at their paychecks, and their patience grows much thinner.