An article in The Economist magazine about Bulgaria's recent national elections reflects that most people expected the ruling socialists to be ousted but that the margin of victory by Boiko Borissov's GERB party (Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria) was a surprise. The magazine also concludes that tackling corruption may not be as easy as denouncing it and also calls for "the overlap between politics and business" to be reigned in.

"Mr Borisov has been a lively mayor of Sofia who has shaken up the capital’s administration. But few expected voters’ discontent to be so strong. Turnout was high, at 60 per cent. Mr Borisov won support from change-hungry voters, even if they felt queasy about his headstrong personality and spotty past."

Analysing Borissov's threat to deal with corruption, The Economist forecasts a protracted process.  "Bulgaria’s rich and powerful have shown remarkable agility in dodging the lethargic courts. Mr Borisov has already won plaudits by appointing outside professionals to his cabinet, including Simeon Djankov, an economist at the World Bank who will be the new finance minister. Mr Djankov will have to deal with plunging tax revenues, a GDP fall of perhaps per cent this year and a huge current-account deficit."

The Economist also cites the ongoing influence of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) as an embarrassment to the body politic. "A fixture in government for some years, this party has been criticised by anti-sleaze campaigners, especially those concerned with the misuse of EU funds. The party’s unabashed influence-peddling has increasingly scandalised Bulgarians. Its leader, Ahmed Dogan, has publicly boasted of his ability to channel state funds and wield political power."

The magazine conludes that voters grew tired of the machinations of the coalition and notes that one of its partners, Simeon Saxe-coburg's National Movement For Stability and Progress (NMSP) has now been consigned to electoral oblivion.