Политика

Last week Atanas Vodev returned to the post of interim mayor of the municipality of Velingrad. We talked to him a day before the Pazardzhik District Court issued a ruling that stopped Fidel Beev's inauguration:
Mr. Vodev, why are you appealing the outcome of the municipal mayoral election?
- In my opinion, there were violations of the electoral law during the election day. There are circumstances that lead me to believe that the vote of some of the voters has been manipulated. The presence of ballots before the beginning of the election day, the open photocopies of ballots for me are indicative that the vote of the voters has had an impact. By how much, to what extent - the court will judge. Another violation, which I interpret as unregulated agitation by unauthorized means, is the broadcasting of Radio "Velingrad". According to the CRC's opinion, the broadcast is from an object that does not have a work permit regime.
- In terms of appeal, do you have the support of the political parties with whom you were together in the elections?
- Opinions of political parties were asked whether to appeal the election results. We have their confirmation and support. That gave me grounds to appeal to the District Court.
- How will it affect the development of the municipality appeal and going through all court procedures again?
- I participated in an election race, the conditions of which are regulated by law. The law provides for bodies to appeal to if there are doubts in the conduct of the vote. I have the confidence of 9,000 voters and I believe that the election campaign was positive and tolerant. The messages we sought to provide to voters were specific and clear - both in terms of priorities and the interaction between the Municipal Council and the Municipal Administration. I suppose the same as motives was leading in Mr. Beev's campaign. We have doubts that we have argued in an appeal and the District Court is the body that can rule on whether the election result is regular. - What is your reading and analysis of the election results?
- Voter turnout is generally higher than the run-off percentages achieved in the previous elections. As a rule, it is lower in the city and correspondingly higher in smaller settlements. In the course of the campaign, specific commitments were made to certain settlements, some of which were fulfilled. There was no question that could not be answered. Both I and Mr. Beev have supporters and ideas that we defend. I expected more support in Velingrad, Sarnitsa, Draginovo and Pashovo. In the course of the campaign, I always wished voters to vote for whom they judge and are internally convinced. The results seem to indicate that the trust has gone to Mr. Beev. But the presence of ballots that differ from the established pattern shows that it is possible that voters were influenced, and that is one of the grounds for our complaint.
- For the second time the candidate who wins the elections in Velingrad does not have enough votes to become mayor of the municipality. In your opinion, does this create tension in the local government?
- Elections are held with the residents of the whole municipality and the votes from the different settlements are absolutely equal. The fact is that the people in the municipality live in radically different conditions, which determines the grouping of the vote. By no means do I believe that the attitude of the administration and the Municipal Council should be predetermined by where a person lives. In the last 15 years. there is a different attitude based on the different problems between the city and the villages. Most of the voters, in my opinion, are guided by the vote on what was 10 years ago, not what comes next. For me, this is a burden that could become an obstacle when considering and planning activities in the future period. This is where the difference in voter behavior comes from. Therefore, we sought to draw a project, a program based on the problems of Velingrad and the villages, pointing out practical exits for solving them. Of decisive importance are contacts with the central last and the support of the major parliamentary parties. Whoever does not have this political support will largely fall into isolation and it will be necessary for current problems to be solved with the budget's organic funds, which are definitely insufficient. Last but not least, in the last 2 mandates, it turned out that a number of problems were promised to be solved and this was not fulfilled.
- Your forecast what will happen in the municipality of Velingrad by the end of this year?
- By the end of the year I expect the contradictions between the local self-government bodies to be resolved. I expect projects to be implemented in Velingrad for over 10 million flax, concerning infrastructure, sanitation and water supply. The mayoral crisis will be resolved in favor of voters. Parliamentary elections to pass in a calm atmosphere and everyone to exercise their right to vote for the future parliament according to conscience and conviction. Let's end 2005. without arrears and with prepared projects for 30 million levs for 2006. In order to achieve this, it is necessary to make compromises on all sides, to resolve problems in disputes, discussions and with constructive proposals. Activities that are significant to the development of the municipality in the long term are to be identified and to identify and provide a reliable funding source. In order for the city of Velingrad to become an attractive place to live and to create prerequisites for the reception of many guests and tourists. It is a common concern of the local government authorities to create a favorable investment climate, which is a prerequisite for creating jobs in the real sector, for a sharp decrease in the unemployment rate, which guarantees an increase in the incomes and living standards of the residents of the municipality of Velingrad.
Elena Baeva