Referendum on Political System Confuses Bulgarians

While most Bulgarians support the upcoming referendum on changing the political system, which will be held alongside presidential elections on November 6, polling data suggest a high degree of confusion over what people are being asked to endorse.

The referendum, initiated in 2015 by Slavi Trifonov, a popular TV host, will ask three questions: about introducing mandatory voting (already in effect since May), the introduction of majoritarian system to elect MPs, and slashing subsidies for political parties to 1 lev  - around 0.5 euros - per vote won.

Most Bulgarians seem enthusiastic about being given an opportunity to directly influence political life.

Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets of Sofia on Saturday for a concert rally organized by Trifonov in support of his initiative, which drew 700,000 signatures of support earlier in 2016.

According to data from the polling agency Alpha Research, published on October 27, 54 per cent of Bulgarians are keen to participate in what is being called "Slavi's referendum", which means it is likely to cross the threshold and be deemed valid.

Over 50 per cent of Bulgarians said they would vote "yes" to all three questions.

However, considerable confusion in the public emerged from the same poll, demonstrating a high degree of understanding about the meaning of the posed questions.

While over 51 per cent of Bulgarians told Alpha Research they support mandatory voting, at the same time 74 per cent declared that voting is a right, not an obligation, and that nobody should force people to vote.

Similar confusion has emerged over cutting subsidies for political parties. While over 53 per cent of voters said they favour the measure, another 70 per cent said state...