Pressure Ups on Bulgaria EU Ladies over Presidential Bids

A combo picture shows Kristalina Georgieva (L), the EU's humanitarian aid commissioner, and Meglena Kuneva (R), former commissioner for consumer protection. File photo

A small opposition party with links to shady figures from Bulgaria's transition has renewed its efforts to prevent the country's former and current European Commissioners from running for president.

Kristalina Georgieva, the EU's humanitarian aid commissioner, and Meglena Kuneva, former commissioner for consumer protection, are not eligible to run for president, argues the conservative Order, Law and Justice (RZS).

RZS cites the Bulgarian Constitution, which requires that candidates for president are eligible only if they have lived in the country in the last five years.

Meanwhile the Election Code leaves a loophole, saying that the time a Bulgarian citizen has spent abroad after being deployed by the Bulgarian state should be included in this period.

In a bid to clarify the issue, RZS leader Yane Yanev has sent an inquiry to Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov, asking him about the time the two potential bidders have spent in the country and their permanent residence.

Minister Tsvetanov is expected to reply in writing.

The Bulgarian EU Commissioner, Kristalina Georgieva, has been recenly crowned the most popular politician in the country with an approval rate of whopping 60%.

According to the most recent poll conducted by Sofia-based Center for Analyses and Marketing 12.7% of the surveyed citizens said they fancied Kuneva as President, which makes her the third most popular option.

None of the ladies however has decided yet whether to join the presidential race in the autumn this year.

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