Petya Konstantinova in Prague: Those who don't vote have completely lost hope

“The main problem with elections in Bulgaria is the widespread apathy. I imagine that if people were deprived of their right to vote, more of them would take an interest in the presidential candidates and turn out at the polling stations.” This is what our compatriot Petya Konstantinova, who lives in Prague, wrote to the Radio Bulgaria editorial team. She cast her ballot early this morning together with her entire family.

She notes that many Bulgarians travelled to the Czech capital especially to vote on Sunday, as once again polling stations in the country had been opened only in Prague, with none elsewhere in the Czech Republic.

“Bulgaria’s political ‘elite’, however, is content with this situation and has even been fuelling mass apathy over the past 20 years. There are not enough active people to change the status quo,” the young Bulgarian continues.

“Otherwise, we Bulgarians in the Czech Republic look to the future with hope and go out to vote, but I would not dare say that I see any great optimism among the people around me. I have the feeling that they have, rather, lost faith that any change is possible. Bulgarians here tend to be more active in the afternoon, so we shall see what happens. My personal impression, however, is that there are more people voting this Sunday than in the first round.”

Schools in the Czech Republic are currently on their autumn break, which is why Petya’s family travelled back from Croatia to cast their ballots in Prague.

“I can feel the fatigue after the journey, but voting is important,” she says, explaining:

“Because voting is a way of making your position known. Ultimately, everything depends on the choices we make. If we do not exercise that choice, we leave things in the hands of others. Everyone has a voice and everyone should be able to exercise it freely. It is a civic duty, and by making your position known, you have the right to hold those you elect accountable for the trust you have placed in them.

“What strikes me, although it comes as no surprise, is the deep divide between people. I feel that it is becoming increasingly pronounced in Bulgaria. An almost aggressive battle between two camps is being waged, both on social media and in our discussions with one another. But are we not all part of one Bulgaria? Does it not belong to all of us? We all want a better future for our country. I do not think things should be allowed to escalate to such an extent. I simply do not understand it. Dialogue is constructive. Everything else is largely unproductive.

I would very much like people to calm down, because their reactions are, in fact, those of unsettled and frightened people. Politics often plays on people's fears, and this was particularly evident during the current election campaign. Those who do not vote have lost hope and faith; they no longer believe that anything can change. And yet there is always light at the end of the tunnel. It is up to us!”

Read also:

Svetlana Kaneva in London: “Bulgarians are either tired or disillusioned”

Bulgarians in Birmingham believe the President should serve the public interest

Kiril Totev, USA: Voters are disillusioned and don’t believe their voices matter