Ahead of the Next No-Confidence Vote: Disputes Between Opposition and Ruling Parties

The ruling parties once again confirmed today, December 3, that the government will not resign, despite ongoing protests and calls from the opposition. GERB leader Boyko Borissov stated that the peaceful protest had “done a splendid job” because it convinced the governing partners to reconsider the budget draft. Calls for the cabinet’s resignation came today from 'We Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria' (WCC–DB), Vazrazhdane, and Alliance for Rights and Freedoms. Tensions in the parliamentary corridors even led to a confrontation between the leader of MRF – New Beginning, Delyan Peevski, and Ivaylo Mirchev from WCC–DB.

• Boyko Borissov: The government will not resign, the protest did a splendid job

Boyko Borissov - Chairman of GERB: “Should the government resign because of this? If I were alone, I would have resigned immediately, 100%. But that would first discredit GERB as a partner who, after signing the agreement — and let me take you back — committed to the strategic goal of joining the eurozone. We delivered that support to the finish. If the government falls now, the next 3–4 months will be complete chaos, because you know how caretaker governments operate.”

Delyan Peevski - Chairman of MRF: "
“Only my voters can ask me to resign, and they will continue to give me greater trust — we all see that. I advise people not to sow hatred — especially ethnic hatred. My Turkish, Pomak, and Roma brothers have shown me that I will not allow it. If they sow hatred, they will reap hatred. Those who yesterday were sitting in my office, drinking coffee, begging me to represent them — where is Hristo Ivanov, where is Ivaylo Mirchev, who bent over asking me to sign? Why don’t we reveal the signatures? I simply refused to be part of their oligarchy.”

Photos by BGNES

Bozhidar Bojanov - co-chairman of WCC-DB: “Peevski must be removed from the government! The government must resign and early elections must be held. This administration has no legitimacy left. It has exhausted public trust. It must resign immediately — not tomorrow, not after consultations, not later, but now.”

Kostadin Kostadinov, Leader of Vazrazhdane:
“We simply want a re-foundation of our state. We want a new social contract. We want a new political model based on democratic rights.”

Sevim Ali, Deputy Chair of the ARF Parliamentary Group:
“We demand the immediate resignation of the government. Second — we insist on a successful roadmap for conducting fair and transparent parliamentary elections.”

Meanwhile, a serious confrontation occurred in the parliamentary corridors between Peevski and Mirchev. Angered by Peevski’s claim that he had bent over to sign documents during the assemblage, Mirchev demanded an explanation. The argument nearly turned physical.

Ed. Note: Assemblage is the word frequently used to refer to the cooperation between the power holders - WCC-DB and GERB-UDF - in the then government from June 2023 to March 2024, with Nikolay Denkov as PM.

Ivaylo Mirchev: “Why are you lying that I bent over?”

Delyan Peevski: “No to hatred.”

WCC–DB announced that they plan to submit a motion of no confidence in the government on Friday.

Photos by BGNES