In Bulgaria in Bogko Borissov, victory comes with a cement mixer

The road winds deeper inland to the university city of Veliko Tarnovo. In a paneled conference room, 60-year-old Deputy Mayor Georgy Kamaresev takes off his mouth mask. According to him, handing over A2 will generate new activity and save time. “Now it’s two and a half hours to Sofia, less than two hours later.” Kamarashev is not a member of the party, but operates under the mayor of GERB. He faces questions about corruption with a friendly smile with a Bulgarian saying. “The only dirty deal is that you don’t participate in it.”

Outside of town, road workers (“nameless”) repeat everything after him. Which politician is not corrupt? And by the way, why do you just ask about Borisov? A2 provides men with work, security and the future. They don’t want to decide which party they vote for, but the answer is easy to guess.

Georgy Angelov, 36, shivered and lights a cigarette as he stands at a gas station. As the owner of a company that operates internationally in protective clothing, he sees the future less bright. “Corruption is everywhere and I don’t think the elections will change that.” The future lies elsewhere for him, his girlfriend and their 4-year-old son. In Spain, he says, not in the country of Bojko Borissov.