Bulgarians Head to Polls again, Pin hopes on Harvard Duo, Caretaker Ministers Petkov and Vassilev

Bulgarians are heading for a third parliamentary election this year hoping that this time a new political force could become the game-changer and break the political deadlock. EURACTIV Bulgaria reports.

In the next election, expected in November, Bulgarians will look for another saviour, tired of the existing political parties but encouraged by the performance of the ministers in the caretaker cabinet appointed by President Rumen Radev, in particular Economy Minister Kiril Petkov and his colleague responsible for finance, Assen Vassilev.

The speed with which voters are moving from one new political project to another is a sign of insecurity and anxiety in society.

The political parties that people looked up to end the decade of conservative GERB's rule, during which corruption flourished and media freedom collapsed, not only failed to understand each other but fought among themselves, using insults, intrigue and slander.

This inevitably affected the electorate's initial enthusiasm for the "new parties" - 'There is such a people', 'Democratic Bulgaria' and 'Stand up BG'.

At this juncture, a new political project is emerging, centred on the caretaker ministers Petkov and Vassilev.

In just three months, the two have become popular for exposing graft in the government of former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov. Although they have not confirmed (or denied) their political plans, expectations are growing, although there are no fresh election surveys to corroborate their popularity.

Friends for years, Harvard graduates Petkov and Vassilev will need to use another party - the time is too short to establish and register their own - to contest the election.

Caretaker Prime Minister Stefan Yanev, who is close to...