Bulgaria Right-Winger to PM Borisov: It's the Economy, Stupid!

The formidable physical presence, artistic talent and down-to-earth language of Prime Minister Boyko Borisov continue to readily translate into high approval rates among Bulgarians. Photo by BGNES

Bulgarians' hype over Prime Minister Boyko Borisov will be last-lasting, but the country's economic woes will one day debunk the myth of his charisma, a psychologist and former right-wing member of parliament has forecast.

"One thing is crystal clear and we should admit it – nobody can challenge Borisov in his talent to give people rich emotions, just like a tabloid TV broadcast does," Dr. Nikolay Mihaylov, psychologist and former MP from the die-hard right-wing Democrats for Strong Bulgaria, said in an interview for Trud daily.

"Words are powerless against him, even his own verbal monstrosities can do him no harm. He is being haunted down however by the phrase, which Bill Clinton's manager James Carville famously coined – "It's the economy, stupid". It is not the people or the words, but the country's economic plight, which is hot on the heels of the prime minister, endearingly called "our Boyko"," Mihaylov said.

The psychologist described Bulgaria's current prime minister as "a rustic and sly actor, an unrivalled mix between late communist dictaotr Todor Zhivkov, known for his poor education and down-to-earth language, and sex symbol and movie star Marlon Brando."

"What misleads Bulgarians into falling for this man is the need to satisfy their hunger for love and entertainment."

Asked about Bulgarians' anemic protests against rising unemployment, low pensions and salaries, Mihaylov had the following to say:

"Anger will flare up when hunger comes. But then Boyko will tear off his shirt in repentance and will be quick to explain his Socialist predecessor Stanishev is to blame. Even then people won't hate him, just because he is "our Boyko".

According to Mihaylov the only alternative to the currently ruling GERB party is a coalition between GERB and another party from the right-wing or the center.

In 2001 Borisov served as bodyguard to Bulgaria's former king, Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, who returned from nearly half a century of exile to run for parliament and become prime minister.

Borisov so impressed the king that he gave him a government job only to see him a few years later replacing him as everybody's favorite.

Bulgarians pinned all their hopes for improving their living standards on the cabinet of Boyko Borisov, which swept to power in the summer of 2009.

Less than a year before the end of the government's term however Bulgaria's economy hovers on the brink of its second recession in the wake of the slump in the euro zone, sharp drop in foreign investments and lack of structural reforms.

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