I mentioned there was no in-flight entertainment on my Bulgaria Air flight from Sofia to Amsterdam, but there was an airline magazine…and it provided a stimulating take on the upcoming US Presidential election and other elections that will be held around the globe in 2024.
Bulgaria Air In-Flight Magazine Opines On US Presidential Election, Russian Politics, Other Key Elections Around The World
While Bulgaria Air, the flag carrier of Bulgaria, may not have wi-fi or screens onboard, it does offer its OnAir inflight magazine, which recently took on all the elections that will occur in 2024. Let’s take a look:
On the US election:
Will the White House welcome Donald Trump once again? 4 trials and 91 accusations not only didn’t destroy him, it looks like they gave him more power, instead. Economic and financial success didn’t bring the expected popularity to the current president Joe Biden. The election is unpredictable and it can change everything – the Western support for Ukraine, the delicate balance with China, the Middle East war, the worldwide competition between liberals and conservatives or any other names we might give to the two Western echo bubbles whose epic battle resonates all around the world.
(bolding mine)
The magazine is not holding out much hope for a surprise election victory in Russia or Belarus…
There isn’t much doubt about who the winner of the presidential election shall be in Russia or Belarus. We know that, four years ago, the Belarusian dictator Lukashenko most probably lost the election. However, in Stalin’s words, it doesn’t matter who wins but it rather matters who counts the ballots. In addition to bloody streets, hijacking the election and smashed demonstrations, Belarus also “won” a stronger dependence on Moscow.
Regarding Putin himself, votes are not an issue for him. He currently has another task: to decorate his future victory with a larger piece of conquered Ukrainian land. Therefore, the winter, which is warm anyway, shouldn’t raise predictions for a ceasefire. The already destroyed Mariinka shall fall definitely, and probably Avdeevka shall follow, too. At what cost? Thousands more Russian soldiers shall die in the slaughter.
(bolding mine)
Wow!
On the UK election:
“The Labour Party will return to power after 14 years in opposition. Keir Starmer, the serious, moderate and slightly dull man of law, is expected to bring back normality and mitigate the extreme situation that came with Brexit.”
On South Africa election:
“The South African democracy, won by the sacrifice of legends like Nelson Mandela, is constantly stumbling over radicalism and corruption. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be a brighter future waiting around the corner.”
On the Indian election:
“Narendra Modi, aged 73, is pursuing his third 5-year administration. Accusations of nationalism and authoritarianism against him not only didn’t stop him but probably, on the contrary, mobilized the Hindu electoral base.”
You can read the full article (and full magazine) here (.pdf).
Has any other airline inflight magazine taken on the global elections happening this year?