The Bulgarians unsurprisingly renewed their confidence on Sunday in their president, who has become a key figure in the anti-corruption movement in this country, the poorest in the EU, according to estimates coming out of the polls.
Roumen Radev, a 58-year-old former fighter pilot and former head of the armed forces, won between 63 and 65% of the vote, according to three polling institutes.
His opponent Anastas Guerdjikov, who presented himself with the support of the conservative party Gerb of ex-Prime Minister Boïko Borissov, is credited with 31 to 33% of the vote.
The poll, the fourth of the year, took place in the midst of the deadly wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Less than 25% of the 6.9 million inhabitants are fully vaccinated, mortality is one of the highest in the world and dilapidated hospitals are overwhelmed.
A must for Bulgarians
In this parliamentary republic of the Balkans, it is the government which defines the policy, the president having an essentially ceremonial role.
But Roumen Radev, a novice when he won in 2016, has given the function another dimension and has established himself over the years as a key figure in the political game.
His re-election is good news for the young anti-corruption party "Continue the change", winner a week ago in the legislative elections.
"The choice of the president will influence all the development of Bulgaria", warned Kiril Petkov, who is running for the post of Prime Minister.
He called this week to vote for the one "who started the change".
In the summer of 2020, Mr. Radev clearly sided with the demonstrators demanding the resignation of Boyko Borissov.
Low participation
Then, after the April 4 elections which sealed the fall of his sworn enemy but led to a political impasse, the general once again found himself in full light.
He chose new faces to compose the interim government, which gained wide popularity for uncovering corrupt practices from the Borisov era.
And these are two former ministers of this team who won the legislative ballot.
Mr. Petkov and his sidekick, Assen Vassilev, this week started negotiations to get out of a crisis unprecedented since the end of the communist regime.
Most Bulgarians were not enthusiastic after already three elections this year: according to the Election Commission, the turnout was 24% at 4 p.m., down sharply compared to 2016.
World
Bulgaria: Three Covid-19 patients die in hospital fire
Miscellaneous
Bulgaria: presidential candidate charged after homophobic attack in Sofia
Corruption
Elections
Bulgaria
World
0 comment
0 share
Share on Messenger
Share on Facebook
Share on twitter
Share on Flipboard
Share on Pinterest
Share on Linkedin
Send by Mail
To safeguard
A fault ?
To print