(18 Apr 1997) Bulgarian/Nat
With Bulgaria set to go to the polls this weekend, President Petar Stoyanov has been giving his assessment of where the country stands after years of unpopular Socialist rule.
Stoyanov said Thursday that Bulgaria faced the bleakest economic prospects in its history.
The only way out of the slump, he said, was for voters to rally behind a wide-ranging programme of economic and social reforms.
With the opposition UDF riding high in the polls, Petar Stoyanov was optimistic Thursday that the delayed process of reform wasn't about to receive another setback.
But he warned that a bold and radical programme would be needed to drag the economy out of its current slump.
SOUNDBITE: (Bulgarian)
"The economic situation in this country is harder than ever before. But now there is a public sentiment in favour of the reforms. People support the very serious though painful process of reform leading to European integration and a fuller role in the transatlantic alliance".
SUPER CAPTION: Bulgarian President Petar Stoyanov
Stoyanov set out his recipe for successful reform - a balance of pragmatic economic measures with continued provision for the country's poor.
SOUNDBITE: (Bulgarian)
"First we must take measures to improve the banking and financial system. Then deal with the wave of crime. Then liberalise prices with regard for a social safety net for the poorest in this country. Then proceed with serious privatisation - clear transparent privatisation which will bring revenue to the government. Finally take measures to attract foreign investment to Bulgaria."
SUPER CAPTION: Bulgarian President Petar Stoyanov
But despite his anti-Socialist views, Stoyanov said that it wasn't up to the President to take sides in the election.
He refused even to predict the result - which to many now seems a foregone conclusion.
SOUNDBITE: (Bulgarian)
"As President I cannot commit myself to any forecasts or declare openly that the elections will be won by one party or another - it would be improper and I would be seen as taking sides a couple of days before the elections which is not the right thing to do."
SUPER CAPTION: Bulgarian President Petar Stoyanov
Stoyanov remains one of the most popular politicians in Bulgaria after he brokered the February agreement calling for early elections.
When the Socialist government crumbled, Stoyanov set up an interim cabinet which began the painful process of economic overhaul.
He declared Thursday that the current reforms had gathered an unstoppable momentum, and were fully supported by the Bulgarian people.
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