Even the young in GERB know that BSP and DPS want low electoral activity

22/06/09

Even the young in GERB know that BSP and DPS want low electoral activity

Interview made for Dnes.bg by: Andrei Lubenov

Monika Panayotova is one of the new faces in our political life. She comes forward in the elections for MEP’s where she is placed 7th on GERB’s list. Now she is the majoritarian candidate in Sofia’s 24th majoritarian electoral region.
There she will face the current Education Minister – Daniel Vulchev and the leader of the Blue Coalition Martin Dimitrov. BSP’s candidate is the Executive Director of the Agency for Energy Efficiency.

How long have you been in GERB?

 
I have been part of GERB even before there was an official party, which would mean that I am part of GERB for approximately three years. At the moment I am the Chairwoman of MGERB.

What have you learned about politics so far?

 
Politics are a game and the deeper you get more and more idealism fades. It’s more then well known that some write the screen play and others play it. But if you manage to get involved in both you can work and set a good behavior so things get done in the right way. That’s why I believe more young people need to enter politics. By young I don’t mean young in age I mean people who are specialists in their spheres, competent Bulgarians who have so far stayed away from politics.
We need to put an end to the opinion that politics are a place for personal benefit. A way for the capable needs to be made and there is still a lot of work to be done in that direction.

Is GERB an authoritarian party?

 
Authoritarian? No. GERB is a party with a leader, it’s completely normal. The energy of Mr. Borissov is a driving force and when you earn his trust on the basis of results you also get freedom. Everyone has a chance for contribution. We are a team!

As a new figure in politics, what would you like to tell the young Bulgarians?

 
I want to tell them to be active and to take part in political life, because that is the only way to change the model and the figures which we have seen for so long.

How can this be achieved? How can people start being interested in politics?

 
When you vote you determine your way of life. The fact that your vote determines your future needs to motivate you enough to go and vote. People need to view politics as something positive, rather then something negative. Political parties need to stop viewing citizens only as voters. The political parties need to think about the citizens, rather then to remember about them only before elections. That’s why we keep constant contact with citizens, not only when we are in a campaign.

You are a majoritarian candidate from GERB. Do you think the changes in the election rules and the added element of majoritarian voting is something useful?

 
No. The change of the rules occurred too late and it’s rather confusing to the general public. There is no though behind this system and it would not lead to satisfactory results. As well as it doesn’t permit Bulgarian citizens living outside of Bulgaria to vote for majoritarian candidates. I am personally in favor of the proportional system of voting with preferential votes (like the system which was used for the elections for European Parliament). From one side the voter can choose the person he wishes to support from the parties voting paper and from the other side the party guarantees for all of the candidates.

Why did the campaign for National Parliament and for European Parliament pass in such a strange way, filled with more hate between the contestants, rather then ideas?

 
The campaign really passed in a strange way. Rather then seeking support based on ideas the parties attacked each other. This is in the best interest for some of the political parties, which seek to repulse the electors from politics and to distract the people from the real problems and the solutions that need to be taken. I am really happy that GERB has an entirely positive campaign, which is the European way.

Which political parties do you have in mind?

 
Well BSP and DPS. These are the parties that have constant voters and they have interest in lower election activity. That’s why it’s really hard to have a real pre-election political debate.

Will GERB be able to make sure that everyone votes with their own cards?

 
I strongly believe so. We proved that we are capable to do so in Sofia’s Municipal Council. I think we will be able to do it in the National Assembly as well.

What would be the first law you would submit for discussion, if you become a MP?

 
They are two. One of them has to do with the youth and the other with foreign policy. The Law for the Youth needs to be created on the base of an updated Strategy for the development of the Youth. Again we put the young in the centre of our politic. They are the future of our country and there is no doubt that we need to work in their favor. Also a law regarding the “Green Cards” needs to be made so Bulgarian citizens living outside of Bulgaria can gain better access to our labor market.