874.00/11–1945: Telegram
The United States Representative in Bulgaria (Barnes) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 21—12:48 p.m.]
702. “Greatest election victory in Bulgarian history” has been announced by Govt. Victory was, of course, for the Govt. “Never have so many people voted in Bulgaria; never has a Govt received such a brilliant expression of people’s confidence”, says Obbov’s Agrarian newspaper this morning.
“Fairly final” figures late last night “revealed” that in Sofia city 87 per cent of registered electorate went to polls and 90.29 per cent of those voting cast ballots for FF (Fatherland Front); in Sofia region 86 per cent voted, 90 per cent for Front; in Burgas region 91 per cent voted, 91 per cent for Front; in Varna region 87 per cent voted, 87 per cent for Front; in Rustchuk region 78 per cent voted, 81 per cent for Front; in Plovduv region 90 per cent voted, 92 per cent for Front; in Stara Zagora region 85 per cent voted, 70 per cent for Front; in Plevan region 82 per cent voted, 85 per cent for Front; in Govna-Djumay region 92 per cent voted, 97 per cent for Front. No info yet available for Vratsa region. Of course all 276 Fatherland Front deputies were elected. Thus has been confirmed once again effectiveness, for electoral purposes, of Communist-dominated “single front” formula especially when backed by party militia and Red Army. With these sweeping figures it is clear that opposition would have been stupid to file lists and attempt organized campaign. No disorders yesterday of any note yet reported.
Repeated Moscow as No. 318 and to Bucharest as 21 or [for] Ethridge.