What are the important priorities in politics and how did the “Zhelyazkov“ cabinet start… Sociologist Yanitsa Petkova from the “Myara“ agency spoke to FACT.
- Ms. Petkova, the “Zhelyazkov“ cabinet started with over 30% approval. What does this portend?
- Usually cabinets start with some approval. Whenever we have a new government, because this government was quite awaited, there is such approval. No matter how enthusiastic certain circles of society are about the formation that we managed to achieve, it is normal to have a reserve of approval. 30% is not a very large reserve against the background of the disapproval percentage, but still our society accepts with a sigh that we have a regular government. We have a reserve of tolerance and tolerance towards the new government, but it is very fragile and could melt quickly.
- The cabinet is entering a working rhythm, but how do you view what is happening in the opposition, where we see great opposition to each other…
- Yes, the cabinet is entering a working rhythm, but we cannot say the same about the opposition. In the opposition, we see several parties that cannot unite on important issues through which they should exercise control over the ruling party. This in turn allows the cabinet greater freedom in its decisions and control over the opposition, which could be relied on for various decisions - say, regarding the euro, regarding the election of regulators. If the cabinet is somehow showing steps towards getting into shape, the opposition is still not doing so.
- Even in the PP-DB there are different opinions on the euro and the budget…
- We see quite diverse opinions in the PP-DB, but I expect them to go together within this cabinet, because they simply have no other choice. I think that the PP-DB coalition will realize that they are strong precisely in opposition. Yes, some of them are not used to being in such a role - in opposition, I mean the PP, but the DB has quite good experience. It is the topics that concern them, the supporters they have, the ideas they put forward in society that allow them to mobilize a serious electorate. That is why I think that their role as an opposition will have a good effect on them. For the moment, they themselves are in a dissonance and we see a divergence in many of their actions. We will see whether they will be able to realize this role of opposition and that this can be positive for them.
- The BSP already has a new leader elected. What do you expect from them…
- The BSP has come out of a dead end, in which it was for a long time. It remains to be seen how the party will develop with its new leader, but in any case, the socialists are starting from a good position. I mean that with a rather low electoral result, the new BSP leadership managed to secure positions in the executive branch. This could somehow consolidate the party structures. I am not sure whether the voters will be able to recognize the election of a new party leadership as a positive step and the strengthening of the position that the BSP is the left-wing party in Bulgaria. Or the party members will look for their alternatives. In any case, the hole they had fallen into seems to be somehow starting to be overcome. And from here on out, everything is in the hands of the new leadership. If it manages to secure public support and stabilize relations within the structures themselves through the government, it will be good, because I am not sure that this has been resolved as a problem.
- At the “Myara“ agency, you conducted a study on people's attitudes towards entering the eurozone. What did it show…
- It shows fear among society about adopting the euro and concern, and this is caused by the poor communication of the government towards the people. These are not surprising results. This attitude is well-known in our society regarding concerns about rising prices, speculation, inflation, impoverishment, etc. Such data has been shown for years and it is not something that surprises anyone.
- Do people know what will happen to pensions and prices of goods when we enter the eurozone… Has anyone argued for this…
- At this point, the campaign itself for the adoption of the euro seems not to have been conducted properly. There is a consensus among the ruling parties that this is a step in the right direction. And for them, it is more a matter of time - that is, when, whether faster or slower. As for our society, for some people the question is "whether" we should enter the eurozone. So here is the mistake. The government is not talking about this issue. I think that such an information campaign will have to be carried out in order to convince the society. Otherwise, parties like "Vazrazhdane", which are perhaps the only ones actively advocating the "against" position, are given the opportunity to be aggressive. In my opinion, a large-scale campaign is needed next year. There is a sense of concern and fear in our society about the adoption of the euro, as well as distrust and uncertainty about the future. And this is largely caused by the fact that there is not much information from those who defend the adoption of the euro. It is as if they have forgotten that they have to argue for it. Those who are against it do it too actively.