Diana Rasheva, Paris: If everything is normal in Bulgaria, why live abroad?

In Paris and other major French cities such as Rennes and Strasbourg, record-high voter turnout among Bulgarians was registered in the 52 Bulgarian Parliamentary election from the early morning hours. In this election, there were a total of 19 polling stations in France - in Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Strasbourg, Nice, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Lille, Rennes, Montpellier, and others - which is two more than in the previous elections.

Bulgarians who voted in Paris, where a total of three polling stations were opened, noted that the organization there was at a very high level, and the staff were extremely polite and welcoming. As early as 10:30 a.m. local time, half of the total number of voters who had cast their ballots during the entire day in the previous elections had already voted in the Paris sections.

These was significant activity around the Bulgarian Embassy in the French capital on the election day. Paris is the only place in France where Bulgarians were able to vote using machines. “Hopefully there will be change! Hopefully it will be for the good of Mother Bulgaria,” expressed hope Diana Rasheva, who lives near Paris with her husband and their three children.

“My personal expectations are that this good will happen,” Diana told Radio Bulgaria. “There will be a new government, a new parliament, and I hope the priorities will be healthcare and better social policy. The strengthening of national identity and cultural values - something that has been greatly lacking in recent governments. A very quick correction in the legal system should be made so that there are faster court proceedings and fairer judicial decisions. These are my expectations, and above all, that this terrible corruption will stop. All funds are simply being drained, and absolutely nothing is being done for the country in terms of infrastructure and roads. Some regions are completely forgotten. I expect work to be done in this direction. I believe we have all the prerequisites, the will, and the potential - we just need more sensible politicians who think about Bulgaria and its people, rather than serving foreign interests.”

When asked whether she would consider returning if she saw positive change in the country, Diana Rasheva responded:

“Yes, of course, I would return to Bulgaria even after so many years. Such a favorable change in every sphere in Bulgaria would make me think about spending even the final years of my career back in Bulgaria. Because such change would unlock much greater potential - for the economy, the markets, and education in every aspect. Ultimately, if everything is going well in Bulgaria, why should we live abroad?”

As for Lyon, where turnout is always high and around 300-400 people vote, people were somewhat disappointed because there were no voting machines.

“There were only paper ballots. Until now, we have always had machines, and I don’t know why it turned out this way this time,” Elitsa Stefanova told Radio Bulgaria, adding with a look toward the future:

“We all go to vote with the same mindset. Yes, many have decided to stay here and vote for a better future for parents and relatives living in Bulgaria, or for their children if they decide to return there. Others, like us, who intend to go back, vote for our own future and for the future of our children. That’s it - we want things to change overall, especially in politics and healthcare. In education, many things have been neglected. My husband and I have decided that we will live in Bulgaria. For one reason or another we are here now, but the moment I see that I can provide the same for my children there as I do here - I’m leaving!”

Read also: 

Chavdar Vlachkov, Belgium: Parties have no interest in new early elections
Bulgarian students at Harvard: Voting truly matters

Edited by E. Karkalanova
English: R. Petkova