With three weeks to go to the municipal elections, JULIANA IVANOVA took to the streets of Sofia to ask ordinary people which candidates they intend supporting.
Milena Ivanova, 30, shop-assistant
1. Who are you going to vote for in the coming mayoral election and why?
I will vote for Nadezhda Mihailova because I like her as a person and I also like her election platform.
2. Do you support any particular political party?
No.
3. Does the political orientation of the candidates influence your vote?
No, I think most important is what the person could do for the city.
4. What can and must a mayor do for the capital?
Keep Sofia clean, repair the holes on the streets, look after the development of public services...this is most important.
5. Are you satisfied with incumbent mayor Stefan Sofianski's two terms in office?
Yes, I voted for him in the previous election and I think he has done a lot for the capital, but maybe we need a change now.
Zorka Ivanova, 69, pensioner
1. Who are you going to vote for in the coming mayoral election and why?
I will give vote for the UDF, for Nadezhda Mihai-lova. I think she is a smart woman and she will do her best for Sofia.
2. Do you support any particular political party?
Yes, the UDF, of course! I am a democrat deep in my soul!
3. Does the political orientation of the candidates influence your vote?
Of course! In all previous elections I voted for the candidates of the UDF.
I hate all communists.
4. What can and must a mayor do for our capital?
The mayor must improve public transport and solve the problem we have the stray dogs...
5. Are you satisfied with Stefan Sofianski 's two terms in office?
There are many positive things he has done but there is still more to be achie-ved...especially for the suburban districts...maybe he had no options, not enough funds. I like him as a person.
Lubomir Popov, 42, electrician
1. Who are you going to vote for in the coming mayoral election and why?
I will vote for Stefan Sofianski because he has done very much for the city and could do even more.
2. Do you support any particular political party?
I was an adherent of the UDF before, but now all its members act like fools, striving to do the best for his/her own sake, not for the party and for the people.
3. Does the political orientation of the candidates influence your vote?
For several years, yes; but not now, no, because I believe in the qualities and deeds of a person, not in the potentialities of an organisation.
4. What can and must a mayor do for our capital?
First of all he has to clear the streets of Sofia from the stray dogs - a dog bit my leg a year ago and inflicted a big wound...Secondly, he has to care about the cleanliness of the city. Thirdly, he must finish the underground stations, and fourthly, but most important - not to loot money.
5. Are you satisfied with Stefan Sofianski 's two terms in office?
Of course I am! I have already told you this. That is why I am going to cast my vote for him, and I appeal to everybody to do the same!
Georgi Tzanov, 25, student
1. Who are you going to vote for at the coming mayoral election and why?
I will cast my vote for Lyuben Dilov Junior, because he offers new ideas, like a special law for the city, and because I think he catches public attention. I will vote for him although I think he will not win...I think he has bright ideas.
2. Do you support any particular political party?
No, I hate all political organisations in Bulgaria and especially the National Movement Simeon II, they all want power and money...
3. Does the political orientation of the candidates influence your vote?
No, but for instance, I would not give my vote for à candidate from the Bulgarian Socialist Party.
4. What can and must a mayor do for our capital?
Solve all the problems of the city, renovate the old buildings and buses, make the life of the citizens easier...sometimes I wonder if the mayors and the politicians care at all about us.
5. Are you satisfied with Stefan Sofianski 's two terms in office?
He has done much, he has a courteous way of speaking, and always seems friendly, but there is a rumour saying he has stolen a good amount of money. He is a nice dude. I was at the seaside once and met him there by chance and I asked him the time. He gave me the exact time, that's why I think he is a nice dude.
Zorka Ivanova, 69, pensioner
1. Who are you going to vote for in the coming mayoral election and why?
I will give vote for the UDF, for Nadezhda Mihai-lova. I think she is a smart woman and she will do her best for Sofia.
2. Do you support any particular political party?
Yes, the UDF, of course! I am a democrat deep in my soul!
3. Does the political orientation of the candidates influence your vote?
Of course! In all previous elections I voted for the candidates of the UDF.
I hate all communists.
4. What can and must a mayor do for our capital?
The mayor must improve public transport and solve the problem we have the stray dogs...
5. Are you satisfied with Stefan Sofianski 's two terms in office?
There are many positive things he has done but there is still more to be achie-ved...especially for the suburban districts...maybe he had no options, not enough funds. I like him as a person.
Milena Ivanova, 30, shop-assistant
1. Who are you going to vote for in the coming mayoral election and why?
I will vote for Nadezhda Mihailova because I like her as a person and I also like her election platform.
2. Do you support any particular political party?
No.
3. Does the political orientation of the candidates influence your vote?
No, I think most important is what the person could do for the city.
4. What can and must a mayor do for the capital?
Keep Sofia clean, repair the holes on the streets, look after the development of public services...this is most important.
5. Are you satisfied with incumbent mayor Stefan Sofianski's two terms in office?
Yes, I voted for him in the previous election and I think he has done a lot for the capital, but maybe we need a change now.
Zorka Ivanova, 69, pensioner
1. Who are you going to vote for in the coming mayoral election and why?
I will give vote for the UDF, for Nadezhda Mihai-lova. I think she is a smart woman and she will do her best for Sofia.
2. Do you support any particular political party?
Yes, the UDF, of course! I am a democrat deep in my soul!
3. Does the political orientation of the candidates influence your vote?
Of course! In all previous elections I voted for the candidates of the UDF.
I hate all communists.
4. What can and must a mayor do for our capital?
The mayor must improve public transport and solve the problem we have the stray dogs...
5. Are you satisfied with Stefan Sofianski 's two terms in office?
There are many positive things he has done but there is still more to be achie-ved...especially for the suburban districts...maybe he had no options, not enough funds. I like him as a person.
Lubomir Popov, 42, electrician
1. Who are you going to vote for in the coming mayoral election and why?
I will vote for Stefan Sofianski because he has done very much for the city and could do even more.
2. Do you support any particular political party?
I was an adherent of the UDF before, but now all its members act like fools, striving to do the best for his/her own sake, not for the party and for the people.
3. Does the political orientation of the candidates influence your vote?
For several years, yes; but not now, no, because I believe in the qualities and deeds of a person, not in the potentialities of an organisation.
4. What can and must a mayor do for our capital?
First of all he has to clear the streets of Sofia from the stray dogs - a dog bit my leg a year ago and inflicted a big wound...Secondly, he has to care about the cleanliness of the city. Thirdly, he must finish the underground stations, and fourthly, but most important - not to loot money.
5. Are you satisfied with Stefan Sofianski 's two terms in office?
Of course I am! I have already told you this. That is why I am going to cast my vote for him, and I appeal to everybody to do the same!
Georgi Tzanov, 25, student
1. Who are you going to vote for at the coming mayoral election and why?
I will cast my vote for Lyuben Dilov Junior, because he offers new ideas, like a special law for the city, and because I think he catches public attention. I will vote for him although I think he will not win...I think he has bright ideas.
2. Do you support any particular political party?
No, I hate all political organisations in Bulgaria and especially the National Movement Simeon II, they all want power and money...
3. Does the political orientation of the candidates influence your vote?
No, but for instance, I would not give my vote for à candidate from the Bulgarian Socialist Party.
4. What can and must a mayor do for our capital?
Solve all the problems of the city, renovate the old buildings and buses, make the life of the citizens easier...sometimes I wonder if the mayors and the politicians care at all about us.
5. Are you satisfied with Stefan Sofianski 's two terms in office?
He has done much, he has a courteous way of speaking, and always seems friendly, but there is a rumour saying he has stolen a good amount of money. He is a nice dude. I was at the seaside once and met him there by chance and I asked him the time. He gave me the exact time, that's why I think he is a nice dude.
Zorka Ivanova, 69, pensioner
1. Who are you going to vote for in the coming mayoral election and why?
I will give vote for the UDF, for Nadezhda Mihai-lova. I think she is a smart woman and she will do her best for Sofia.
2. Do you support any particular political party?
Yes, the UDF, of course! I am a democrat deep in my soul!
3. Does the political orientation of the candidates influence your vote?
Of course! In all previous elections I voted for the candidates of the UDF.
I hate all communists.
4. What can and must a mayor do for our capital?
The mayor must improve public transport and solve the problem we have the stray dogs...
5. Are you satisfied with Stefan Sofianski 's two terms in office?
There are many positive things he has done but there is still more to be achie-ved...especially for the suburban districts...maybe he had no options, not enough funds. I like him as a person.
