Bulgaria is a good country, but Russia is the best
A new president has been elected in Bulgaria. It was retired Air Force General Rumen Radev, a nominee of the Bulgarian Socialist Party. Almost 60% of voters voted for General Radev, which is a third more than his rival Tsetski Tsecheva, a representative of the right-wing liberal party GERB (Citizens for the European Choice of Bulgaria).
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The rapid rise of the former military pilot to the political Olympus was as unexpected as it was natural. Unexpected because Radev was a non-systemic politician. Natural because Bulgarian society demanded change. First, remove from power the politicians from the GERB party who are mired in corruption. Secondly, adjust relations with Russia. Thirdly, choose a head of state less dependent on the EU in order to resolve Bulgaria’s two main problems: the severe energy crisis and the topic of receiving migrants from the Middle East and Africa, which is persistently imposed by the EU.
Considering that the problem of the Roma has been very acute in Bulgaria for a long time, with no prospect of a solution in the foreseeable future, the appearance of tens of thousands of Arabs, Afghans and Africans could cause unpredictable consequences within the country.
The energy crisis is directly related to the Bulgarian turn to the West and the “European choice” of the 90s. As is known, the liberal government of Bulgaria terminated the contract with Russia for the construction of the Belene nuclear power plant and the South Stream gas pipeline in favor of EU requirements. In addition, the Bulgarians refused Russian assistance in the modernization of the Kozloduy nuclear power plant, built in cooperation with the USSR in 1974, concluding a contract with the American company Westinghouse, which they soon greatly regretted. Because, instead of building the 7th power unit, Westinghouse presented the Bulgarian government with a lengthy “memorandum that says nothing about what will happen to the unit and the electricity in 10 years.”
Meanwhile, the energy crisis not only prevents Bulgaria from opening new industrial production, but also forces the closure of those that remain afloat after deindustrialization. This means that in just a dozen years Bulgaria will become an “agricultural superpower” in the image and likeness of Ukraine.
But Bulgaria will not be able to overcome the energy crisis without improving relations with Russia. The United States gets away with declarations in favor of the poor, and the EU is not averse to squashing the remnants of Bulgarian industry and energy.
In addition to energy problems and migrants, Bulgarians are concerned about sanctions against Russia, which prevent the promotion of their agricultural products to the Russian market, as well as attracting Russian tourists to Bulgaria.
Now about the new president of Bulgaria and his program. President Radev is 53 years old. Native of Dimitrovgrad. Immediately after graduating from school, he entered the Air Force Military School. In socialist Bulgaria, he worked his way up from a junior pilot to a squad leader. Radev's career growth is more consistent than rapid. Having served the required term, Radev becomes a student at the military academy, after graduation he steps up the career ladder from position to position: squadron commander, deputy. commander, air base commander. In 2009, he held the position of deputy. commander of the Bulgarian Air Force, seven years later receives general's shoulder straps and the post of commander-in-chief of the Air Force.
Professional non-partisan. Radev was never a member of any party, even in socialist Bulgaria he was not a member of the Communist Party. Apparently, the general never aspired to get into politics, having gotten into it by chance.
In 2015, Radev had a conflict on a principled basis with the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense. Following the directive of senior NATO officials, the Bulgarian rulers decided to reduce the Bulgarian Air Force and entrust the protection of the country's airspace to the Polish Air Force. At the same time, no one asked Radev’s opinion. The general declared his disagreement, submitted his resignation letter, and immediately gained fame and popularity among the Bulgarians.
The leadership of the Socialist Party was quick to take advantage of the conflict situation. Taking into account the fact that the BSP had a complete collapse in the parliamentary elections - only 15% of the votes, they desperately needed a principled and charismatic candidate for the upcoming presidential elections. The socialists invited the retired general to try his hand at the election race for the post of head of state. And they were right. Radev agreed and won.
As many analysts emphasize, from a political point of view, Radev is a complete amateur. His entire political program consists of several clear theses, with which he addressed the people. First of all, Radev promised to finally take on the solution to the migration crisis, without following the lead of the European Union. The general said that he would not allow the country to be turned into a “European ghetto for migrants.”
Radev also declared himself an irreconcilable fighter against the rampant crime and corruption that is consuming the country throughout the vertical.
General Radev’s main pre-election thesis was the idea of improving relations with Russia and adjusting Bulgaria’s foreign policy course - greater emphasis on the country’s national interests. The previous government brought once good neighborly relations with Moscow to their lowest point. It got to the point that Bulgaria became the most ardent supporter of tightening sanctions against Russia, and this was done even despite the economic interests of Bulgaria itself (export of agricultural products, energy, gas pipelines).
It is interesting that during a televised debate with his opponent Tsecheva, Radev directly stated that he considers Crimea to be in fact Russian and recognizes the full right of the inhabitants of the peninsula to self-determination.
Many voters were probably impressed by the fact that when asked “what kind of politician are you – right or left?” Radev replied that he was first and foremost a Bulgarian. The move is strong, although it does give some thought. A statement in the style of “we are not right, we are not left, we are felt boots” attracts the sympathy of patriots without alienating liberals. The President of all Bulgarian citizens is wonderful, but in politics it is usually impossible to sit on several chairs at once. Sooner or later, Radev will have to decide on his political orientation.
Retired General Radev will take office as president only in January 2018, but opinions are already divided regarding his next steps. The pan-headed people have swallowed Radev’s statement on Crimea and are starting to argue in the style of an “officer’s daughter.” They say that the Bulgarian president is a small person - it’s up to the parliament and the prime minister. In addition, it is not for Bulgaria to compete and set conditions for the EU and NATO. He will play politics, get upset, and then his soul will calm down.
On the other hand, some Russian observers are already euphoric about Radev’s statements and election, calling him a “pro-Russian” politician. But here too there is a serious stretch. Radev, like the socialists who nominated him, never tire of emphasizing Bulgaria’s strategic choice in favor of the EU and NATO. Adjusting the course to normalize relations with Russia only speaks of Radev’s pragmatism and sanity. And also about cleverly winning over the votes of the part of the population sympathetic to Russia in their favor.
So let no one be misled by his words about “age-old spiritual ties.” Firstly, the skepticism acquired over the last quarter of a century is a hindrance against the backdrop of how former “brothers” ran headlong from one camp to another “for jeans and chewing gum.” Secondly, their stubborn commitment to the EU and NATO, and even strategic, does not at all fit with “pro-Russianism.”
It is especially valuable that the former “socialist democracies” trample for the EU and NATO, like those mice that cried, injected themselves, but continued to gnaw the cactus. For in the 25 years after the disappearance of the USSR, new “friends and partners” helped them get rid of social benefits, infrastructure and sovereignty in exchange for mirrors and glass beads.
We are just talking about forced pragmatism, since Bulgaria cannot cope with the energy crisis without Russia, since the EU and Westinghouse are strategically feeding the Bulgarians according to the principle “it flowed down the mustache, but it didn’t get into the mouth.” In addition, no one has ever left NATO or the EU. Especially for the sake of Russia.
Well, even this forced pragmatism is better than a damaged relationship. If Bulgarians want normal relations, they will get them. If President Radev puts the interests of Bulgaria at the forefront, and not European officials, that in itself is not bad. It’s just time to look at these relationships in a businesslike manner, without the nostalgic flair of “brotherly ties” that have long since depreciated. In addition, in Bulgaria, as in Ukraine, over the past 25 years a generation has grown up for whom the opportunity to work as a farm laborer in the European Union is much more important than any poetry.
On January 1, 2018, the EU presidency will go to Bulgaria. So we’ll see how President Rumen Radev will defend the interests of his country right in Brussels. By their deeds you will recognize them.
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