Host (Lora Indzhova): Dear viewers, "Your Day" continues with our political analysts Maxim Behar and Assoc. Prof. Alexander Hristov. The opposition has already made serious political statements regarding a vote of no confidence. Earlier, we discussed that this is a fundamental tool for the opposition in parliament to pressure the government. The current topic concerns the Eurozone. What are the political moves of the opposition and the majority in the Bulgarian parliament? We will learn more from PR experts Maxim Behar and Assoc. Prof. Alexander Hristov.

Maxim Behar: Good day!

Host: From a PR perspective, how should we understand the politicians' behavior?

Maxim: It is expected that politicians will seek common ground with journalists, unfortunately, since very few of them are active on social media, and almost none of them communicate their messages through these platforms despite having them at their disposal or managed by their consultants. Therefore, they rely on traditional media—television, newspapers, and radio to convey their messages. However, journalists and PR professionals are not colleagues with politicians, as we operate and think differently, and we approach our work with a long-term perspective. We have seen many political parties and leaders come and go, yet we continue working in our field. The big difference is that we are in business, while politicians work for the government, which means we have fundamentally different mindsets. However, if they seek closer relationships with the media, that is a positive step.

Host: Did the majority, led by Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria - Union of Democratic Forces (GERB-SDS), handle the Eurozone and the Convergence Report well?

Maxim: I do not believe that Bulgaria will step back on the Eurozone. Firstly, there is significant miscommunication. After all, this government is only around ten days old, and they are likely still figuring out who will communicate what and on which topics. Secondly, I refer to this government as a "Government of National Salvation," similar to those in Poland in the 1990s, as well as in the Czech Republic, Hungary, even in Bulgaria at certain points in the past. The current government consists of many conflicting interests. The presence of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) in the government is something I highly appreciate—I did not expect such a bold step from a party typically seen as more conservative and cautious, especially under the new leadership. Right now, the government has no clear direction—do they support the Eurozone or not? However, this will be resolved quickly because we have been in the Eurozone "waiting room" for 6-7 years, and turning back now is impossible.I remain optimistic that by early 2026, Bulgaria will become part of the Eurozone, which will be a major breakthrough for the entire region.

Host: You seem optimistic despite economists' forecasts. But let's see—do we have a chance for 2026?

Maxim: My optimism is close to realism because Bulgaria is not facing an economic crisis. Inflation was an issue but has been stabilized in the last 4-5 months. Bulgaria is gradually aligning with Europe in terms of prices, salaries, and market operations. So why shouldn't we be part of the Eurozone? This transition will completely transform our economy, market, and standard of living, making it more European.

Host: Why has there been such a disconnect between politicians and the public? What caused this breakdown in communication? The opposition has called for a vote of no confidence, citing speculation that joining the Eurozone is being delayed to maintain a stable majority.

Assoc. Prof. Alexander Hristov: The Eurozone is a complex topic to explain. Unfortunately, both sides present it in an oversimplified way—one side claims it will bring more money, while the other insists it will raise prices. The opponents of the Eurozone explain their position more effectively because of their louder and clearer messages. Meanwhile, there are strong economic reasons to continue the process, which have never been well communicated to the public. The two sides should have been explained years ago, but there has been no serious campaign. There is a communication strategy, and it's not a bad one, but there is no active public information campaign. People need consistent and clear explanations to understand the benefits of Eurozone entry.

Host: Mr. Behar, why do the politicians skip the proper explanation? The information is there and available. They just need to present it clearly and in detail. So why aren't they starting?

Maxim: We have two key issues. The first is the so-called "political opposition."

Host: Do you mean the political opposition in general or at this moment?

Maxim: At this moment. We have had strong opposition in the past, but currently, I feel sorry for the opposition in Bulgaria.

Host: Shouldn't we give them time to prove themselves?

Maxim: I don't understand how a party named "Yes, Bulgaria" could say "No" to join the government. They initiated the process of uniting different political forces and then suddenly withdrew.

Host: Are you frustrated that they pulled out of the negotiations instead of joining the coalition? Would it have been better if "Democratic Bulgaria" was part of this coalition?

Maxim: Of course! The same applies to "We Continue the Change." If you call yourselves "We Continue the Change," you can't oppose change! Forming a regular coalition government was a major change compared to the series of caretaker governments we've had in recent years. Both "We Continue the Change" and "Democratic Bulgaria" should have joined the coalition, worked hard within it, helped Bulgaria enter the Eurozone, improved communication, raised living standards, and focused on actual progress. Instead, they sit in parliament, banging on the desks in protest and calling for a vote of no confidence—which makes no sense to me.

Host: What about the government's communication campaign on the Eurozone?

Maxim: I haven't seen an effective campaign. The video clips and presentations from a year and a half ago were weak and poorly executed. No one in Bulgaria has created a strong, persuasive campaign explaining why Bulgaria should join the Eurozone. There should have been in-depth research presenting the pros and cons, measuring public perception, and ensuring that key messages were understood. Currently, I think only a few thousand people in Bulgaria truly understand the issue, while the rest of the country remains in the dark.

Host: People still have concerns—what will happen to their savings and pensions?

Maxim: Nothing bad will happen. In fact, pensions are likely to increase under a stable government. Bulgaria needs a Minister of Communications—not just a PR or marketing figure, but someone to coordinate communication across ministries.

Host: That is an excellent idea—I really like it.

Maxim: It wouldn't cost much at all.

Host: Indeed, there is a need for such a role. Sometimes, our producers have to call three different PR representatives to get a single answer! That is inefficient and frustrating.

Maxim: That's why we need a professional, centralized communication office.

Host: What will be the lifespan of this government?

Maxim: This government could complete its full term, but the key moment will be the presidential elections next year. I believe it will survive until the presidential elections, and if things go well, it could last its full term.

Host: We will see how things unfold. Thank you, gentlemen, for this discussion!

 

Watch the full interview here.