Sat, Nov 07 2009

Foreign press ridicules Bulgaria's electoral process

Fri, Jul 03 2009 15:36 CET byGabriel Hershman 2023 Views 10 Comments
Foreign press ridicules Bulgaria's electoral process

Photo: Nadezhda Chipeva

The UK and foreign press have reported on the Bulgarian election campaign and, as usual, the coverage is disparaging. The Times reports that "underworld figures facing charges of racketeering, embezzlement and worse have found a novel way to escape jail in Europe’s most corrupt country: they are running for parliament".

The newspaper goes on to describe the case of the Galevi brothers, the reputed gangsters who have allegedly run their home town of of Doupnitsa as their personal fiefdom. "One of the Galev brothers, Plamen, stands a good chance of being elected as an independent MP despite facing charges of racketeering and running an organised crime group. He has been allowed out of jail for three weeks to campaign but could win at least four more years of freedom if he secures a seat in the 240-member parliament."

Euro News also comments on the legal loophole that has allowed defendants to run for office. "Bulgaria’s upcoming general election on Sunday is a chance for suspected criminals to escape legal proceedings against them. Bulgarian law grants immunity from prosecution to candidates, and several facing charges of corruption and organised crime have registered to stand."

The Irish Times notes that "President Georgi Parvanov has urged Bulgarians not to vote for suspected criminals, and a Bulgarian court yesterday froze more than two million euro of assets belonging to two such candidates. Prosecutors are also now investigating a former deputy interior minister for alleged bribery," the paper notes, but concludes that "voters seem unlikely to back the government’s belated anti-crime efforts at the ballot box".

The paper says that anger over the lost EU funds – on account of alleged corruption in Bulgaria – has spilled over into the campaign. "You deprived Bulgarians of much-needed EU funding, which could have helped compensate for dwindling foreign investment. We have the will and the ability to correct that," the paper quotes GERB election candidate Vladislav Goranov as telling a Socialist rival in a televised debate.

The Wall Street Journal, perhaps unsurprisingly, concentrates on the economic agenda of favoured candidate Boiko Borissov, noting that his "populist views on law and order, and his vague economic platform, make foreign investors nervous. But he also says he will turn to the IMF for help, something the current government has resisted and most economists would applaud".

Comments

Anonymous Anton Mon, Jul 06 2009 17:08 CET
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How I, or anyone else, feels about it is not the point. Technically, no criminals were running in Bulgarian elections. "Facing charges" is the worst to describe any of the people in question. Presumed innocence should be held in higher esteem than I see here, even if we're talking about individuals publicly perceived as "criminals". All right, Bulgaria and its people are probably not so wise in the ways of democracy yet but I'm really amazed by how lightly others - presumably more savvy - point fingers and call names.

Anonymous Timucin Sun, Jul 05 2009 19:23 CET
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I am Turkish not half Bg half Turkish but my wife is from Sofia pure Bg not half turkish.I am shocked that u have given up on your country so easily, you should be ashamed of urselves and try to heal it instead of complaining, Havent seen one positive comment, about the turkish party issue, if u have so many turkish living there of course ur gonna have problem just like we have with kurds even thou they have every single right that I have....

Anonymous The same Bulgarian Sun, Jul 05 2009 18:10 CET

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Anonymous Matt Sun, Jul 05 2009 16:53 CET
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The Mafia in the US? What are you on!? The only organized syndicates that control policy are corporations through massive lobbying efforts. Crime or Democracy? You decide. I'm sure K Street will have something to say about either side.

Which economist in their right mind will applaud turning to the IMF, when the IMF has been one of the most influential, tools of runaway cutthroat capitalism. It has created misery for many of the world's poor. Vivid examples abound in Africa and Latin America. A most horrifying case can be seen in Jamaica. Next thing you know, you will be touting the World Bank as the saviour of the world.

Преглед на профил The same Bulgarian Sun, Jul 05 2009 14:01 CET

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Преглед на профил The same Bulgarian Sun, Jul 05 2009 13:58 CET

This comment has been removed by the moderator because it contained .

Преглед на профил The same Bulgarian Sun, Jul 05 2009 13:50 CET

This comment has been removed by the moderator because it contained .

Преглед на профил The same Bulgarian Sun, Jul 05 2009 05:45 CET

This comment has been removed by the moderator because it contained .

Преглед на профил The same Bulgarian Sun, Jul 05 2009 05:42 CET
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Alex,
With the same success you have to kick out Italy with their Cosa Nostra, Camorra and Ndrangheta or France with the Corsicans crime syndicates or USA with the mafia ;-))
About the Bulgarians who “…a lot of them do not want to call themselves Bulgarian.” – good for your and Australia , take it we don’t need them.
;-)))

Anonymous Alex McNeil Sun, Jul 05 2009 04:44 CET
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Its shocking really, who in their right mind would allow criminals to run in the EU. The EU is about Democracy not communist style stuff like organised crime.

I cannot believe an EU Member would do this. Im horrified.

Yeah no wonder Bulgaria's population is going to drop to 5 million. No wonder many Bulgarian's are refusing to come back to their country. I am Australian/Canadian but I live in Aussie and Bulgarian's say here in Aus that there is no future in Bulgaria, a lot of them do not want to call themselves Bulgarian.

Oh yeah. Release Jock Palfreeman he is innocent. Bulgaria has failed Australia and my people. Jock is purely innocent its a shame that the Bulgarian's see that is the case even with strong evidence from the French Police he is innocent. Who the hell would want to ever live in Bulgaria. I sure as heck won't.

Bulgaria could loose its set in the Council of Europe serves them right. I think my country Australia should take Bulgaria's place in the Council of Europe and maybe the EU xD

Anonymous Em Sun, Jul 05 2009 03:58 CET
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Oh,why are we not impressed or suprised?!
All that the article explores is what the majority of the bulgarians already know and have given up on.
After 1989 the real democrats were too busy with personal bickering to aknowledge any of their country's needs and the so called socialist-all ex communists- ruled to their hearts content.And all the 20 years gone by have proven that they didn't have neither guts neither clue how to implement any effective changes on any level.
When the election papers are as long as a Sunday Times news paper-more and more people will not bother and only poorly educated village idiots will be choosing-and the young generation has lost any faith.......

Anonymous hasan Sat, Jul 04 2009 18:15 CET
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I really doubt the merits of turning to the IMF. Getting loans from the IMF in the corrupt environment that persists in Bulgaria currently would ensure that they would end up in the pockets of the ruling elite, and the entire nation would have to pay back. The IMF is only good for burdening poor nations with loans that cannot be paid back.

Anonymous bugy Sat, Jul 04 2009 14:11 CET

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Anonymous Ivan Fri, Jul 03 2009 21:40 CET
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The big majority of intelligent Bulgarians have already voted, with their feet!!! They have left the country for good.
It's a shame that Bulgaria has become such a corrupt and disgusting place. No wonder the mass migration that within 20 years will practically shut down the country. Who would want to live there?

Anonymous David Riley Fri, Jul 03 2009 20:43 CET
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I don't care. I still think Bulgaria is a great country and am looking to spending some time there from this weekend in our house. The only downside is that there's a ban on the sale of alcohol on the day we arrive because of the elections.

Anonymous Raptor Fri, Jul 03 2009 19:43 CET

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Anonymous expat Fri, Jul 03 2009 16:06 CET
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who is wondering...

if the situation would not be soo sad and concerning, it would almost be hilarious...

what is mostly irritating, that the mass population seems to be accepting it - if so than the Bulgarians should not complain for the future...

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