Bulgaria is voting for its 49th National Assembly and this has been the fifth parliamentary election for two years. Despite election fatigue, our compatriots go to the polls in the hope of breaking the losing streak and getting people worthy of being called "people's elected" into parliament. Bulgarians abroad are also excited about the outcome of this day. One of them is Emiliana Blagoeva, who has been living with her family in Toronto for 23 years. She is a kinesitherapist and yoga trainer. Despite the series of elections leading to parliaments unable to produce a cabinet, Emiliana will not miss the opportunity to cast her vote once again.

"I am an optimist. I have faith in people and I am sure that at some point the right people will be politicians in Bulgaria. People who are not corrupted; who have an open heart and who will work for the people,” Emiliana says and adds: “In fact, I think the real politician is the one who is a humble servant to the people. This should be the standard for us. And I'm sure those people exist and it's a matter of our collective consciousness to elect the right politicians."

When asked if she knew Bulgarians in Toronto, who feel tired of the frequent trips to the polls, Emiliana is frank, but answers with a dose of humor:

"This can be seen, of course, just like in Bulgaria. I recently listened to an interview in Bulgarian, in which they said that elections in Bulgaria are more frequent than the times some young people make love. It was very funny, but it's true. For me personally, it is important to vote because this is our homeland, this is Bulgaria. The fact that we have been living abroad for two decades and more does not mean that we feel less Bulgarian. On the contrary, the Bulgarian community in Toronto is very united and we all love Bulgaria. I know people who are ready to return to Bulgaria, as they want to work for the better future of the homeland in every possible way."

According to Emiliana Blagoeva, in order for Bulgaria to get out of the crisis it has found itself in, people’s choice must not be focused on left and right, but on proper and wrong.

"People who vote must have Bulgarian self-awareness and speak the Bulgarian language, which should be a mandatory condition,” Emiliana Blagoeva adds. “My children were born in Canada but I want them to speak Bulgarian, whether they would live in Bulgaria or not. I want my children to grow up in Bulgarian culture and with Bulgarian traditions and customs."

She hopes that this time the vote would lead to a stable parliament and people who are professionals and who really care about Bulgaria and the prosperity of the country would stand at the head of the state.

Photos: Pixabay, personal archive