Volen Siderov, the leader of the ultra-nationalist Ataka party and runner-up in the first round of Bulgaria’s presidential elections on October 22, told journalists on election night that the votes he gained represented an “awakening of Bulgaria”.

“We travelled throughout Bulgaria and in small villages the reality is quite different from the one here. During the tour we experienced the justice deficit (President Georgi) Purvanov is talking about,” Siderov said.

This “justice deficit” was not a natural phenomenon, but was dependent on the work of authorities.

“I blame the President for forming the current Cabinet and handing a mandate to the Movement for Rights and Freedoms, a party that we consider to be unconstitutional,” Siderov said.

“The President is the person who should guarantee there is no justice deficit. Silence and refraining from stating one’s position when something wrong is happening is a betrayal of the people.”

He said Purvanov remained silent while “entities” were stealing from Bulgaria and were destroying its defence.

“Al Capone cannot investigate the mafia. I can deal with everyone who has stolen from Bulgaria. Purvanov says that he is a tolerant President, yes - he is tolerant to the mafia,” Siderov said.

The “process of awakening” was difficult for Bulgarians, Siderov said. People in some regions were scared to state their position.

Siderov said that he would rely on talks with right-wing leaders and direct interaction with the people in the second round of the election.

He rejected allegations that he was a threat to Bulgaria’s entry into the European Union.

“Ataka is in favour of many measures needed for Bulgaria’s EU entry like the fight against corruption and the successful conclusion of privatisation deals,” Siderov said.

He said that he would send a clear message to all Bulgarians in the second round of the election: “Let’s place Bulgaria on new foundations, let’s pull it out of the process of feudalism in which the ruling clique is plunging it.”

Saying he would seek support from all Bulgarians in the second round, Siderov said that he only differentiated between “those who participated in the plunder and its victims”.

“I will appeal to all voters as I did while preparing the campaign, when I thought of forming a united front - an idea some leaders left unheeded and will now have to answer rather awkward questions,” Siderov said.