Bulgaria PM Runs for President to Save Face - Analysts

Prime Minister Borisov considers getting rid of his headaches by running for president. Photo by BGNES.

Bulgaria's Prime Minister Boyko Borisov's likely bid for president may be interpreted as a move to get out of the political swamp he got himself into, say political analysts.

"At the moment Borisov is mired in a deep swamp, with one of the exit options being a presidential nomination," political scientist Evgeniy Daynov told Nova TV morning broadcast.

"Confidence in victory is of utmost importance during an election campaign and Boyko Borisov has reasons to worry that Bulgarians may decide to punish him for all that is going on", political scientist Burudzhieva stated.

"The later a presidential campaign starts, the more likelier it is to turn into an "anti-vote", rather than a "pro-vote"", Burudzhieva explained.

She highlighted that election campaigns tend to get increasingly emotional over the last two months, encouraging an emotional rather than a rational choice on the part of voters.

Burudzhieva also added that a mere few months ahead of the elections, the only certain presidential bid was that of Volen Siderov, leader of the biggest nationalist Ataka party. According to her, the current primary goal for Volen Siderov and Ataka was to drum up support for their participation in the next parliamentary elections.

Daynov, in his turn, insisted that Bulgarians should be given sufficient time to make an informed decision, so that they would have the opportunity to get acquainted with the presidential candidate and his program. He echoed Burudzhieva's opinion, pointing out that "the only one who plays by the rules, surprisingly enough is Volen Siderov".

The political parties are experiencing a crisis and they lack persuasive presidential candidates, both experts believe.

Bulgaria will hold both presidential and local elections in the autumn of 2011. Incumbent Socialist President Georgi Parvanov was re-elected for a second five-year term in 2006 and isn't eligible to run in 2011 vote.

Bulgaria's ruling GERB party is expected to announce the name of its runner no earlier than August.

Bulgaria's Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has expressed conviction that his party has among its ranks several nominees able to sweep the elections for the high, though largely ceremonial, office of president.

Boyko Borisov, a lady and one more candidate are the options that the ruling GERB party is considering for runners in the presidential elections, the interior minister said last week.

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