Политика

Before the meeting with voters Gen. Marin gave a press conference in Velingrad, which he opened with the words that he felt in an advantageous position: there is no reason to act like he is not. Immediately followed a question whether the BSP did not seek a rescue move in the nomination and does the general feel neglected so far by the High Council of Centenarians. To feel neglected, there must have been an agreement, and there hasn't been one, the nomination for me is an honor, Mr Marin replied.

From the words of the new regional leader of the BSP, Mr. Kobakov, it became clear that there was a sigh of relief in the BSP because of the general's choice. We were extremely pleased with the news, there is a chance that one of our worthy countrymen will become vice president, Mr. Kobakov said. According to him, in the district Gen. Marin will also be a unifying figure for the DPS electorate. The topic of whether the BSP nominated the vice-presidential candidate in the hope of receiving support from the MRF (albeit unofficial, and in the form of ballots) was widely discussed. The reason: in the last parliamentary elections Gen. Marin was the leader of the list of DPS in Stara Zagora. The general commented thus: "I would not allow myself to think that I am the figure who can improve the relations between BSP and DPS. There is an understanding of strategic importance between the two political forces. I do not hide my sympathies for the DPS, I respect its leader. I have reason to hope for an adequate response." If elected, what would Mr. Marin do with a general who disagreed with his positions? The general who was fired by President P. Stoyanov, for disagreeing with the official Bulgarian position on NATO, replied that he would listen carefully first because he suffered from this. Mr. Marin addressed journalists with a counter-question - why "if he is elected"? He shared that he relies on success in the elections and the question of whether they will win in the first or second round is purely technological. The placement and shifting of political layers are currently in favor of the BSP candidates, and going to the current president in the second round will be considered a defeat of P. Stoyanov, the general believes. In turn, the local leader of BSP T. Pachalov predicts that more votes will be won in Velingrad than in the last presidential election in 1996. Gen. Marin defined the king's support for P. Stoyanov as a serious but unexpected by most people political act. The possibility of external pressure is not excluded, but the possibility of Simeon II having other reasons should not be ignored. Mr. Marin welcomes this in cold blood and thinks that it will not bring significant positives for Stoyanov. The BSP candidate pointed out that even this support fails to compensate for the decline in the rating of the current president. I don't see my role as a confrontationalist, Gen. Marin to a question whether in their pair the danger of the rift that has become a tradition for the Bulgarian Presidency has been avoided. He recalled that Georgi Parvanov defends principled positions, which are sometimes not accepted even by members of the BSP and both have proved that they do not succumb to influence. To the question what will be the political fate of Georgi Parvanov if he fails to reach a runoff, Georgi Pirinski answered. Mr. Parvanov is in a new light, taking the cross of this struggle, and a party like BSP values this permanently. Be calm about the political fate of our leader, Mr. Pirinski summarized. Elena Baeva