Svetlana Kaneva: Bulgarians in London also show election fatigue, distrust of politicians and reluctance to vote

published on 10/27/24 9:29 PM

Photo: Personal archive

Election day was peaceful for Bulgarians in London, ending two hours later than at home. However, one of the largest Bulgarian communities in a European capital, the one in London, did not go to the polls today in the numbers that we remember from the long queues at the ballot boxes in 2021.

According to unofficial data from polling stations in London, 20-30% fewer voters cast their ballots two or three hours before polls closed than in this year's June election. This can be explained by election fatigue, distrust of politicians' pre-election messages and, not least, the implicit assumption that we will probably have to vote again on the composition of the National Assembly in the spring.

These observations are echoed by our compatriot Svetlana Kaneva, the presiding officer at a polling station in Luton:

"The turnout today was not even 50 per cent. Unfortunately, Bulgarians, not only in the UK but abroad in general, are disappointed with what every new government has to offer. Perhaps we are losing faith first in the whole electoral process and then in the political figures. We need new politicians that we can believe in and see that they are actually thinking about Bulgaria's future. And we need reforms in all areas - education, health, the economy, everywhere.

Our compatriots abroad often hear the bitter words that they should not take part in elections and important decisions because they have left the country. Yet many of them live in the hope that the changes taking place in our country are for the better and that one day they will be able to return home. They want the same for their children - so that they can study in Bulgarian universities and never consider emigrating from Bulgaria.

Bulgarians still do not see any change in the whole administrative system, which is very backward in all areas," Svetlana Kaneva tells us and continues:

"So people are disappointed again, but we are not losing faith. There is still hope and that is why we have elections. It's important that people who didn't vote today come out and vote next time. Every vote is important for the development of the economy, for education and, above all, for bringing most young people back to Bulgaria. We were the generation that left home to work in the UK because we had to, because circumstances forced us to. We don't want to go back to the difficult years, we are only looking to the future of our country".

"Every Bulgarian should live with the awareness that his or her vote is important, and the fact that there are elections means that we have the opportunity to express ourselves as citizens" - continues Svetlana Kaneva, looking to the future.

Photos: Personal archive

Translated and posted by Elizabeth Radkova

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