Sofia, 14 July 2021 (BTA/MIA) – Bulgarian caretaker Prime Minister Stefan Yanev thanked all institutions involved in organizing the July 11 snap parliamentary elections during the start of his Cabinet’s weekly regular meeting. He noted that the elections were fair, free and transparent. “We managed to rebut the main fears and criticism related to machine voting,” Yanev said. The law enforcement bodies acted decisively and efficiently to counter vote buying and attempts at manipulating and compromising the election process, the Prime Minister said, adding that the election results are authentic and reflect voters’ will, as it should be in a democracy. Meanwhile, Yanev said he couldn’t help but note a few concerning phenomena related to the election process: the exceptionally low voter turnout, which he doubts was the result of the elections being held in the midst of summer. Political apathy is a dangerous phenomenon and the political parties must put in more effort in engaging Bulgarians to participate in the democratic process, he added. “I am not claiming that I have seen the full picture, but it seems to me that part of the political forces completely refused to talk with and to the people. It is unacceptable in a democracy for a political force to refuse to communicate with its supporters. This is not just a sign of low political culture, but a complete lack of understanding of politics as a process, behavior and action,” Yanev said, adding that refusing and denying political interaction, and ignoring basic principles in that regard are unacceptable. Politics are for true politicians with a vision, for people with qualities who offer sustainable and long-term solutions to society’s problems. Politics are not for bureaucrats or technocrats, who are oriented towards situational and temporary fixes, the Prime Minister said. “We must be clear that, as politicians and active participants in the political process, we cannot afford to once again disappoint the Bulgarian citizens. This will not only further aggravate their apathy and distancing from the political process, but could lead to an even more tangible refusal to participate in the political process and commit themselves to shaping the political agenda. This is not in the interest of Bulgarian democracy and we must not allow it to happen,” Yanev said. “The Bulgarian citizens are seeking the new political leader, the new political elite, new type of leadership, they’re seeking the visionaries, who will outline a clearer and more successful horizon for the development of our society and State. I am afraid that what has been happening in recent days and weeks could leave many Bulgarians disappointed. That is why I believe that change is needed, which will meet the Bulgarian public’s expectations for a meaningful and nationally responsible policy, for adequate political behaviour and communication, for effective political action and for resolving important matters for our society. The change that will consolidate national efforts, unite all patriotic Bulgarians, so that we can bring our country out of the difficult times and serious challenges it faces – towards a new horizon, on the path to a prospering economy, a stable and predictable political environment, a sustainable social system. Our country needs a new perspective, a new model of political communication and interaction, achieving broad consensus on a political programme that outlines clear horizons for modernization, leads to a quick and sustainable economic growth, higher competitiveness of the economy, creates a favourable environment for investments, supports the private initiative, stimulates the sectors that create products with high added value. Our country needs to fully take advantage of the opportunities and promptly develop a capacity to deal with the challenges in the context of its euro zone membership perspective. [It needs] a programme that will make it a priority to address the demographic crisis, a programme that creates [favourable] conditions for our fellow Bulgarians to return from abroad, and to restore the balance in the development of this country’ different regions,” Prime Minister Yanev said. “Our struggle to regain the Bulgarian citizens’ trust and restore statehood goes hand in hand with countering corruption – a process which I am aware will be exceptionally long and difficult,” Yanev said, adding that the time has come for a true judicial reform and not an imitation of such, mostly made for foreign consumption.