Sat, Nov 07 2009

UK Independent describes 'hardman' Borissov

Sun, Jul 05 2009 15:11 CET byGabriel Hershman 1084 Views 3 Comments
UK Independent describes 'hardman' Borissov

Boiko Borissov (left) is the favourite to get the most votes in the July 5 general election and oust incumbent Sergei Stanishev (right)
Photo: Reuters

A portrait in the British press of the Bulgarian politician favoured to win the July 5 general election - Boiko Borissov, the leader of Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (abbreviated as GERB) - presents him as a hardman with a record of getting things done.

Anna Mudeva, writing in the Independent on Sunday, says that "hopes are now pinned on a bodyguard-turned-politician with cropped hair, a karate black belt and the epaulettes of a general".

The article goes on to say that Borissov's track record shows "he is an uncompromising man of action. He personally headed raids against drug traffickers and criminals when he was the interior ministry's chief secretary, and received the rank of general in the previous government".

The article continues: "As mayor of the capital, he has fired numerous officials from city contractors and agencies and prosecuted them on suspicion of fraud. Ordinary people like him because they say he is the only one at the top who does something and is not afraid to confront anyone. Always accompanied by his bodyguards, he has won hearts with his down-to-earth, often coarse, language. But to regain the trust of Brussels, Sofia will have to show that crime bosses too can be held accountable." 


 

Comments

Anonymous Stanislav Mon, Jul 06 2009 14:40 CET
Inappropriate comment?

new actors same performance? maybe so , maybe not
what is needed is :
1. the media and the public challenging corruption at all levels.
2. reform of public services, including more private sector involvement,more e-government and less official stamps, higher salaries for officials and yes, higher taxes and less tax evasion
3. a vision for the future economic development of the country eg eco-tourism, organic agriculture, carbon-neutral development

Anonymous jayjay Sun, Jul 05 2009 23:08 CET
Inappropriate comment?

While Borissov may be somewhat an unknown it's clear the previous corruption laden, inactive government had to go. Bulgaria has had great change over the last few years and a strong leader may be able to consolidate the forces for further change and improvement.

Anonymous joe Sun, Jul 05 2009 19:40 CET
Inappropriate comment?

The predicted results are so clear, but Boiko Borissov is going to make any difference ? i don`t think so, first of all he has to clear a lot of things happening around him, i`m very sorry but i think Bulgarians are not strong enough to give chance to a government to achieve his goals, the present government was trying to improve the economy, to give better life to Bulgarians, but what happened as usual the Bulgarians wanted a new government ,so now we have to see what`s going to happen, but i just want to say this as a famous Bulgarian said " simple people weak country"

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Borissov’s party gets 41 per cent – exit poll

Higher-than-expected turnout gives Boiko Borissov’s GERB the largest share of the vote in Bulgaria’s July 5 2009 elections, as predicted, with currently ruling Bulgarian Socialist Party coming in second with 17.9 per cent.

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