Two neologisms became the code-words that were rallying cries for anger, frustration and criticism in some quarters as Bulgaria prepared to go to the polls in the July 5 2009 elections for a new National Assembly.
 
In alphabetical order, the words were "Doganisation" (доганизация ) and "Galevisation" (галевизация ).
 
The first, for Ahmed Dogan, leader of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms – the party led and supported mainly by Bulgarians of ethnic Turkish descent – came to symbolise what nationalists see as undue influence of Turks in Bulgaria’s politics, and moreover, alleged underhand dealings in the intersection where business and politics meet.
 
Especially for parties that play strongly on nationalist sentiments, such as Volen Siderov’s Ataka and Yane Yanev’s Order Law and Justice party, Dogan has been a made-to-measure hate figure.
 
The most recent furore in media and political circles sparked by Dogan was when he spoke of being, in effect, the real holder of power in Bulgaria and of deciding where all the money went, and dismissed Parliament as having no real role.  
 
In its mid-range political memory, Bulgaria remembers when, a few years back, Dogan was quoted as speaking about the "business circles" close to his party. Long-range memory, of course, is of Ottoman rule. It has not been difficult for ultra-nationalists and other to portray Dogan as representing everything from corruption to oppression – and hence the "Doganisation" concept.
 
Yanev’s party put up posters saying "Stop Doganisation" and the OLJ and Ataka separate but similar protests at Bulgaria’s borders with Turkey on July 4, blockading "election tourists" coming into Bulgaria to vote, also invoked their anger at "Doganisation".
 
The "Doganisation" slur may resonate only in certain Bulgarian domestic circles, but another neologism guaranteed to stir up ire both at home and abroad is "Galevisation".
 
Named for the Galevi brothers, a duo of business people facing criminal charges who have taken advantage of the law providing temporary immunity from prosecution of election candidates, "Galevisation" has stirred up emotions in Bulgaria and draw negative comments from foreign media.
 
Even though the immunity is only temporary, and in the event of a candidate failing to be elected would be no more than a delaying tactic – and in the event of election, there is ample precedent for Parliament lifting MPs’ immunity – the phenomenon has been perceived as symbolic of the role of people allegedly involved in shady business dealings in Bulgaria’s public life.