“There is no way this parliament can form any type of government any longer. We would not take part in any such talks,” said outgoing Deputy Prime Minister and BSP leader Atanas Zafirov during consultations with the President on December 17.
President Rumen Radev met representatives of the parliamentary group BSP – United Left as part of the formal gornment-forming consultations with parliamentary parties in the 51st National Assembly following the government’s resignation.
Addressing the BSP delegation, President Radev said:
“I believe your party has gone through far more serious trials and will cope with these challenges as well. You entered this coalition with the aim of ensuring stability in governance and in the country. Do you intend to maintain this approach and seek stability within a new governing coalition in the 51st National Assembly, or do you believe we are heading towards early elections? A discussion has also begun about reopening the Electoral Code — what is your view on this? Should there be new measures, and what is your position on machine voting?”
Atanas Zafirov, President of the BSP: "Our last consultation in this hall was 1 year and 6 days ago. Will we continue to build - will we build or will we destroy. About a year ago, we from BSP - United Left decided to build, to enter the government for the sake of statehood, to stop the cascade of instability and to help deal with the challenges - inflation, eurozone entry and of course the changing geopolitical environment. To what extent we have delivered on these aspirations, the analysis will show. We have not allowed the prophesied uncontrolled speculation to develop in the Bulgarian retail network. On international relations and the war in Ukraine - our involvement - we were the first to raise the issue of a moderate and balanced policy. To give you an example, in the very process of the negotiations we managed to stop a binding 10-year treaty with Ukraine. We gave our word to be a social vector in this governance. I can report a positive assessment of the participation of our ministers in this governance. The protests had as their foundation the quest for leadership, for more partisanship. The resignation of the government is now a fact, and we are aware that we have suffered damage by participating in this government, because we are witnessing tensions. In state terms, we are satisfied with our participation in government, in narrow party terms, we are not. The immaturity of the political system, the partisan selfishness has led to this government and this parliament losing its legitimacy."
Atanas Zafirov, Chair of BSP, responded:
“Our last consultation in this room was one year and six days ago. The question is whether we will continue to build — will we build, or will we destroy? About a year ago, BSP – United Left decided to build: to enter government in the name of statehood, to halt the cascade of instability and to help address the challenges we faced — inflation, accession to the euro area, and, of course, the changing geopolitical environment.
“How far we have achieved these aims will be shown by the analyses. We did not allow the predicted uncontrolled speculation in Bulgaria’s retail sector to materialise. In terms of international relations and the war in Ukraine, we were the first to raise the issue of a moderate and balanced policy. For example, during the negotiations we succeeded in stopping a binding ten-year agreement with Ukraine.
“We pledged to be the social pillar of this government. I can report a positive assessment of the work of our ministers. The protests were fundamentally driven by a quest for leadership and increased partisanship. The government’s resignation is now a fact. We are aware that we suffered political damage by participating in this government, as we are witnessing rising tensions.
“From a statesmanlike perspective, we are satisfied with our participation in governance; from a narrow party perspective, we are not. The immaturity of the political system and party egoism have led to this government and this parliament losing their legitimacy.”
On proposed changes to the Electoral Code, Zafirov said BSP would “take an active part in the debate in the direction of greater transparency”.
BSP – United Left also reiterated its opposition to an extended budget and its support for the adoption of the revised state budget framework.
“We were the most consistent defenders of both the first and the second budget drafts. We endured significant criticism from right-wing economists, right-wing parties and capital. For us, the social component of the budget was paramount — but this requires a stable revenue base. There can be no strong state without sound public finances. Otherwise, we put many of the country’s social systems at risk, the functioning of Bulgarian municipalities, and, above all, the most vulnerable groups in society.
“Judging by the statements of the larger political forces, the chances of this budget passing through parliament are slim. However, there has already been progress, and I am very pleased that our call, and that of the Bulgarian trade unions, has been heard. If there is even the slightest chance for this budget to pass, it must be seized and realised by all political forces, because it affects millions of Bulgarian citizens,” the BSP leader said.
In conclusion, Zafirov added:
“I hope I turn out to be a poor prophet, but judging by the ongoing consultations and the political rhetoric, we are unfortunately witnessing an escalation of social and political tension. BSP remains on the side of building. In this situation, the state needs wisdom and solid strength.”
"The mortar of this construction is public trust," the Head of State noted.
BSP parliamentary group chair Dragomir Stoynev added:
“Just now in parliament, it was voted to continue consideration of the revised budget — at the proposal of BSP – United Left. Without this, around 430,000 people would be left without any protection upon entry into the euro area. That is something we cannot afford. We are talking about teachers, doctors, museum workers and librarians. Another 150,000 employees in state-owned enterprises would not have received their pay rises.
“We see no problem in this approach. A future government, once elected, can update the budget as it sees fit or submit a new one.
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