Tag Archives: Elections

A Bulgarian mayor tried to move a polling station to a Roma neighbourhood. The attempt of the mayor of Gurkovo, Marian Tsonev, elected by the DPS, to move a polling station from the centre of the city to the Roma neighbourhood failed.  Almost all other political forces rose up against him – BSP, GERB, PP, DB, “Vazrazhdane”, ITN and VMRO. They sent a complaint to the regional governor of Stara Zagora, Iva Radeva, who determined the order for the relocation of the section was not correct.

• Кмет на ДПС изгуби битката за преместена в ромски квартал секция. In: Sega. 06.09.2023. https://www.segabg.com/category-bulgaria/kmet-na-dps-izgubi-bitkata-za-premestena-romski-kvartal-sekciya

The upcoming elections in Bulgaria represent a key moment both for the political crisis in the country and for its Roma. For too long, Roma have been systematically excluded from mainstream politics and left vulnerable to those in power. However, new anti-corruption parties have emerged that offer policies that offer hope for change.

While their efforts are laudable, they must recognize that systemic state failures are inextricably linked to the plight of the Roma and require a comprehensive approach to address them. Failure to do so risks perpetuating anti-Roma corruption, symbolism and racism. The election results will determine the lasting progress and stability of Bulgaria and whether the country can truly become an inclusive and fair democracy that represents all its citizens. The Roma refuse to be marginalized anymore and are determined to challenge the status quo to make their voices heard. It is up to the political class to recognize their ability and determination and work towards a more inclusive and just political system.

• Ромски избиратели, борещи се с мрежа от корупция, символизъм и расизъм: Спешен призив за истинска системна промяна в България. In: Off News. 01.04.2023. https://m.offnews.bg/news/Analizi-i-Komentari_65/Romski-izbirateli-boreshti-se-s-mrezha-ot-koruptciia-simvolizam-i-ra_798253.html

Bulgarian elections are coming, and with them articles about vote buying, especially in Roma communities. On one of the dark days of the last election week, the leaders of the Roma community in the neighborhood of the village of Kalipetrovo, located near Silistra, gathered for a cup of tea to share their grievance that “they promised to buy them a bicycle, but another time”. This other time, however, there are not even promises.

They are happy with their mayor, but one bird does not make spring. And they want simple things – a better life for the grandchildren they are raising while their sons and daughters are in England and somewhere else in the world.

• Ромски лидери от с. Калипетрово обидени на политиците. In: BNR. 31.03.2023. https://bnr.bg/post/101802182/romski-lideri-ot-s-kalipetrovo-obideni-na-politicite

Voting in the country’s Roma neighbourhoods was met with an extremely low interest, probably due to regular and massive police operations against vote-buyers, an unfortunately common practice. The previous trend of local voters favouring GERB, a conservative and populist party and to some extent DPS was maintained, as can be seen from the protocols of the sectional election commissions.

That Roma favour GERB is somewhat surprising, as they are not specially kind to them.

• Малобройният ромски вот фаворизира ГЕРБ. In: Sega. 04.10.2022. https://segabg.com/hot/category-bulgaria/malobroyniyat-romski-vot-favorizira-gerb

There were some information of  potential sabotage of voting machines in some Roma neighbourhoods in Bulgaria. Several voters claim that the machine miscounted their vote.

• Има сигнали, че се готви саботаж на машинното гласуване в ромски махали. In: Darik News. 01.10.2022. https://dariknews.bg/novini/bylgariia/ima-signali-che-se-gotvi-sabotazh-na-mashinnoto-glasuvane-v-romski-mahali-2326015