'There Is Such a People" after Cabinet's Resignation: The Opposition Chose the Chaos

“The chaos was chosen by the opposition.” This was the statement made to the media by Stanislav Balabanov from 'There Is Such a People' immediately after the government submitted its resignation on December 11.

Stanislav Balabanov, There Is Such a People:
“What did all Bulgarian citizens want during the election campaign? A government at any cost, to put an end to the chaos in the country and restore stability. There Is Such a People had two options eleven months ago: to head for quick eighth and ninth elections, or to make the necessary compromises out of respect for the wishes of Bulgarian citizens and ensure stability. We chose the latter, despite our differences with the other political formations. And in these eleven months we achieved historic successes. Bulgaria will join the eurozone, Bulgaria is part of Schengen, and Bulgaria defended its national interest regarding North Macedonia.

“But when, after eleven months, the squares filled again, we were obliged to listen to what the citizens of Bulgaria were saying and to respect their wishes. The only problem — and the difference between today’s protests and those of previous years — is that today’s protests were organised by people who previously plunged the country into chaos. I know such things are quickly forgotten. These same people now want the civic energy we are seeing to conceal their own dark record. And on this basis, taking into account the views of the people in the squares, I cannot accept continuing to comply with the dictates of the new ‘fathers of chaos’.

“And the fathers of chaos have names: Asen Vassilev, Ivaylo Mirchev, Radostin Vassilev, Kostadin Kostadinov, Ivelin Mihaylov. On the eve of our entry into the eurozone, these fathers of chaos will try everything possible to send society down this path unprepared. We will all feel the effects — likely in our pockets. Since they wanted chaos, these political leaders now have it. When people want change, Bulgaria has democratic procedures. As you know, after eight elections, there can be another eight. It is their will that counts; we have listened to Bulgarian citizens, together with our colleagues from the other two political formations. We made the right decision today. The chaos was chosen by the opposition.”

Toshko Yordanov, There Is Such a People:
“It is clear what is happening. I also want all of you to remember very clearly that a society — in this case, Bulgarian society — must make decisions and bear the consequences of those decisions. Just as the three parties that were in government together now bear the consequences of governing together. From the moment there is no longer a government, the responsibility does not lie with any of these three parties.

“I believe that many of you — many employers, many trade unions — will, in time, regret the budget that will not now be passed. Many will also regret what may happen after 1 January. Because deliberately created chaos leads to chaos at every level of society. But since a part of Bulgarian society preferred this, that is their choice. We are not clinging to power or imagining that the world will end without us. No problem. But the responsibility from this moment on rests entirely with those who provoked this chaos: for the financial state of the country, for the prices that may follow after 1 January, for the lack of a budget, for the absence of social measures, for whether taxes will rise or restrictions will be introduced.

“Because the same Asen Vassilev, who shouted with such bravado in the square, was the same person who, while finance minister, wanted tax increases — something we would never have done. I simply want you to remember this moment and recall how things were now compared with what may come. Every Bulgarian citizen must know that they bear responsibility for this.

“We have taken our responsibility — as you can see — and we will continue on our path, doing what we believe is right. From here onwards, everyone else must also bear the responsibility that has fallen on their shoulders at this moment. Because when demands are so widespread, they are heard — but the consequences from this point on belong to those who triggered this situation. Thank you.”