Bulgaria's former king Simeon II is tipped for victory in elections Sunday after winning the hearts of his compatriots by pledging to end poverty and champion morality in a corruption-plagued country.
On the stump the bearded 63-year-old's deft popular touch goes down well with Bulgarians tired of the everyday politicians who run the country in the decade since the collapse of communism, leaving it still dirt-poor.
"I am not a monarchist, but his modesty and spontaneity impress me," says 43-year-old Grosdio Ivanov, in a relaxed crowd turned out to see Simeon -- a relative of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II -- in the eastern Bulgarian village of Veliko Tarnovo.
"Simeon embodies morality. It's his personality which is different from the other politicians," says Nedelcho Jeinov, a 23-year-old student.
"Certainly the outgoing government has built links with the European Union, but it's lost the confidence of the people because of corruption," he adds.
Simeon's National Movement (MNS II), only founded in April, could well topple Prime Minister Ivan Kostov's ruling right-wing UDF coalition in the Sunday legislative ballots, according to the latest opinion polls.
Some 38 percent of voters are planning to back his movement, against 17 percent for the UDF, and 16 percent for the ex-communist Socialists (PSB), according to the MBMD polling institute.
Kostov's United Democratic Forces (UDF) took power in 1997 after Bulgaria stagnated for the first half of the 1990s, and pledged to accelerate reforms needed to join the European Union. Sofia is still near the back of the EU queue, but at least began membership talks two years ago.
But Simeon's fledgling movement has transformed Bulgaria's political landscape, where power has been carved up for a decade between the UDF, embraced by the West for implementing sweeping reforms, and the PSB.
In an interview with AFP, Simeon -- who would be the first monarch from the region to regain political power -- signalled he will consider all options, including a coalition with the outgoing ruling party, after Sunday's ballots.
"I prefer on principle words like coalition and consensus," he said, adding that the UDF or the Turkish minority party are "possible allies." Kostov has not rejected such an option, but insists his party must play a key role.
For Bulgarians, poverty is the key election issue. Four years of painful IMF-supervised reforms by the outgoing government may have helped the country on its EU course, but for ordinary voters life is still tough.
Kostov has pledged more of the same, with "iron financial discipline" and a guarantee to create 100,000 jobs per year.
"It is essential that Bulgaria continues on the path on which it is committed, and at the same speed," said Bojidar Bojinov, president of the national chamber of commerce.
Simeon meanwhile has pledged to turn the country around in 800 days. His economic platform aims to cut the budget deficit to zero, and promised immediate increases in pensions and wages for teachers and police.
"My aim is to raise everyone's standard of living," he said.
Back on the stump, people crowd round to offer Simeon flowers, crucifixes, and coins from the times of his father, Boris III. Some have tears in their eyes, others kiss his hands. One offers him a newspaper dated 1938.
"I think things will get better if he wins. Monarch would be better than anarchy," says Veska Staneva, a 44-year-old mother who is among Bulgaria's 18 percent jobless.
"Your majesty, I wish you success," says another supporter.
Simeon replies: "I am counting on you. Vote." |
