Former President Rumen Radev is entering the battle for the early parliamentary elections on April 19 with the newly formed coalition "Progressive Bulgaria". The formation, whose documents were submitted to the Central Election Commission (CEC) on Monday, sparked immediate analysis in political circles regarding the profile and goals of the new project.
The coalition is based on the parties "Political Movement Social Democrats", "Social Democratic Party" and "Movement Our People". According to experts, the emergence of this alliance is a logical move that aims to capitalize on certain public sentiments.
"We cannot talk about shifting layers, because they have been shifted for a long time. The structure of the individual social groups - people looking for an alternative and the solid voters of the parties so far - has already been somewhat formed for a long time, because a political campaign is coming," explained political psychologist Antoaneta Hristova, quoted by Bulgaria ON AIR.
According to experts, Rumen Radev's actions give a categorical signal about the political orientation of the new project, which is aimed directly at the voters of the centenary.
"This is a firm message, there is no doubt what it can be. This is a center-left political party. This is the niche that the BSP has gradually vacated," Antoaneta Hristova is categorical.
For her part, political scientist Albena Taneva draws attention to the fact that the mandate-holding parties used serve more as a technical tool for showing up for the elections than as the actual ideological basis of the project.
"Obviously this is not Rumen Radev's party. He said he would create another party, he uses political formations. Political power is given during elections. No one is perfect. Who are these political formations?", Albena Taneva asked rhetorically, quoted by television.
She emphasizes that political mastery requires clear communication with the public about the goals and individuals in such an endeavor. According to her, national holidays should not be abused for political PR, but should be approached with the necessary respect.
The lack of complete clarity about the structures and people who will stand next to Rumen Radev on the lists creates the prerequisites for an extremely dynamic situation until the registration deadline.
"The question is when we will receive information. Radev has a clear profile as a politician by this point. To what extent his profile will be filled by the others - it is interesting. He wants to shoot the information. If he does not do it today or tomorrow, it is a fatal miss of the deadlines," warned Antoaneta Hristova.
Analysts unite around the forecast that the coming weeks will be marked by a serious black PR campaign against political opponents, with the main hope remaining focused on achieving higher voter turnout.