Popular Bulgarian Show Backs Ex EU Commissioner Presidential Bid

Ex-EU Commissioner Meglena Kuneva was officially nominated as a presidenial candidate by the popular Bulgarian evening talk show "Slavi`s Show". Photo by BGNES

Bulgarian showman Slavi Trifonov and his team from the evening talk show "Slavi's Show" will support former Bulgarian EU Commissioner's bid for president.

Meglena Kuneva, who was in charge of consumer protection during the first Barroso college, was officially confirmed as a presidential candidate during Thursday's edition of the program, where she answered questions prepared by the team of script-writers.

In a prelude to Kuneva's appearance on screen, the script-writers commented on the overall political situation in the country.

"For the first time in history, Bulgarian political parties have failed to announce their candidates five months ahead of the elections, which signals fear. The President may not have great powers, but he could have huge international clout and media influence, which is why it does make a difference who represents us", the show's team of writers stated.

In their words, Bulgaria's next president should be a figure of authority, not a laughing stock for Europeans. The script-writers described the perfect candidate as firm, confident and an influential person in Europe.

Slavi's team also used the opportunity to level incisive  criticism at Volen Siderov, leader of far-right party  Ataka, who is a certain presidential candidate, at Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, at Ahmed Dogan, leader of the ethnic Turkish party Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS), and the at entire political system in Bulgaria.

"One of the reasons for presenting a presidential candidate now is the all-pervasive disgust with politics and power in Bulgaria. People feel disgusted with corruption, with the total lack of justice, with political parties, who believe that elections are won not with ideas but with trading votes for free kebabs. The state is dead and gone, we can see its corpse deteriorating right in font of our eyes and with our silent consent. Why do the people allow to be represented by such people" the script-writers asked.

In the second part of the show, Kuneva was ushered in, and Trifonov and his team stated their reasons for backing her presidential nomination.

"In her we see a person who we can talk with and discuss matters", Slavi Trifonov said.

He explained his position with the desire to nominate an honorable person for head of state, instead of "playing mouse and waiting for 20 days before the vote to announce your candidate".

"The president does not rule the country, he/she represents it", Slavi the showman reminded, citing the Bulgarian Constitution.

He highlighted that the current support for a presidential bid was the first in the long-standing history of the show.

When Kuneva was given the floor, she described the future Bulgarian president as "a leader who is able to govern through reason, not through power".

When asked about what she believes about the current Cabinet, the former EU Commissioner said: "I wish I could say more good things about every Bulgarian government, including this one. However, what I was most dearly hoping for- an anti-corruption policy, transparency, the observance of law, education, etc. - I do not see it happening. Justice does not end with highways, it resides in education, in healthcare, in new job places."

Earlier Thursday, Kuneva's presidential bid was officially confirmed.

Over 30 people have joined the initiative committee and the pre-election team of the former EU Commissioner.

Her candidacy will be presented in detail Monday.

Among her supporters are expected to be sculptor Georgi Chapkanov, singer Doni, film director Iglika Trifonova and a number of NGOs.

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