'There Is Such a People' at the Consultaions with the President: In this Political Situation, It Is Not Wise to Seek a New Reconfiguration

President Rumen Radev has met representatives of the parliamentary group of 'There Is Such a People' (TISP). The meeting forms part of the formal consultation process with parliamentary parties in the 51st National Assembly following the government’s resignation.

President Radev told the ITN delegation:
“I fully realise that, at the moment, Parliament is a far more interesting place than these consultations, and I appreciate the fact that you are here. You are an outgoing government and, under the Constitution, you must ensure continuity and stability of governance until a caretaker government assumes its duties, if it comes to that. At the same time, you are thinking and working on your next political position and role on the political stage. How do you see your next steps?”

The President also asked TISP about their stance on possible changes to the Electoral Code, machine voting, and their position on the 2026 budget.

Toshko Yordanov, Chair of TISP’s parliamentary group, said the current situation was a direct result of recent constitutional amendments.

“On continuity and the fact that Parliament continues to function, let me note that this is a consequence of the constitutional changes pushed through by 'We continue the change-Democratic Bulgaria' (WCC-DB) at their insistence, together with GERB, with the remarkable support of Delyan Peevski and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF). We did everything possible to prevent this, but we are now in this situation, with all its consequences — including caretaker governments,” he said.

On the budget, Yordanov noted that Parliament was due to vote only on an extended budget.

“What we did at the outset as a parliamentary group, by proposing that the previous budget be brought back for consideration, was simply to make it clear to all Bulgarian citizens who is against it. WCC–DB, using public protests, began to evade responsibility. When the state enters a period without a proper budget, relying on an extended one, problems are inevitably possible, especially given the large volume of social payments. But this budget was effectively blocked by WCC–DB,” he said.

Asked about the prospects for a new governing configuration, Yordanov was unequivocal:

“In the current political situation, it is not reasonable to seek a new reconfiguration.”

He also commented on the debate over changes to the Electoral Code.

“It is extremely amusing how, as elections approach, everyone suddenly remembers the Electoral Code. Proposals begin to appear that serve the interests of one political party or another. Everyone looks after their own interests,” he said.

Yordanov stressed that TISP had proposed changes to the Electoral Code at the very beginning of the current Parliament.

“One of the things we included in the joint governance document was precisely reform of the Electoral Code. Our draft was submitted early, passed first reading, went through committees and working groups. Because these proposals were drafted in a calm environment, when elections were not imminent, we believe they are reasonable and can be adopted. Everything else is piecemeal patching in favour of parties seeking short-term advantage.”

He called on all other political parties to support the existing draft legislation.

“I appeal to all parliamentary forces to back the bill that has been submitted, discussed and enjoys broad consensus, and to adopt it.”

The TISP representative also underlined what he described as a serious problem with public trust in elections.

“That is precisely why we introduced changes to the Electoral Code early on — including measures to clean electoral registers of so-called ‘dead souls’, which is also a major issue. My appeal to the other parties is to support the bill that has been debated for nearly nine months, even ten, in this Parliament, across all groups, at all levels, and with all relevant experts. It is almost finalised,” Yordanov said.