Blair's Lover and Kadyrov's Friend: the Stranger Presidential Hopefuls of Bulgaria (Part 2)

Dimitar Marinov, a.k.a. Mityo Pishtova ("Mityo the Pistol") has made clear he would actually vote for the candidate raised by Bulgaria's Prime Minister. File photo

There are as many as twenty-one presidential pairs running the forthcoming elections in Bulgaria, all competing to take over the office of President. While a head of state does not enjoy too many powers, but virtually serving as a broker between institutions and a key stakeholder in shaping the country's agenda and vision, being able to call consultations, veto bills, and make key appointments.

Novinite has so far given detailed information only about six of the candidates - those either considered front-runners or being somewhat linked to the governing coalition (Tsetksa Tsacheva, Rumen Radev, Krasimir Karakachanov, Ivaylo Kalfin, Traycho Traykov, Tatyana Doncheva). We have also adhered to data from the first poll published in October which gave an edge to those candidates.

Going down the list, the apparent "losers" should not be underestimated, though, as many of them are either being suspected as puppets of other parties that will "drain" votes in the first round or - what is worse - have openly indicated they will not be voting for themselves. Others have a background that could easily raise eyebrows.

In Bulgaria - just like in the United States - anyone could run for President if he or she meets the constitutional requirements. In times of worldwide disillusion with mainstream politicians, independents who fight the status quo feel an ever warmer welcome from the public.

But candidates failing to show coherent ideas - or any knowledge on politics and society - are fighting in the first place is a million-dollar question.

Compared to other Bulgarian Turks active in politics, Kemil Ramadan is an unlikely sight. A Bulgarian entrepreneur born in Velingrad into a Pomak family, he portrays...

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