EP resolution on rule of law in Bulgaria: Comments by Bulgarian MEPs

MEPs supported a resolution on the rule of law and fundamental rights in Bulgaria on October 8. According to the MEPs, issues in the judiciary related to the Supreme Judicial Council and the Prosecutor General remain unresolved and there are no effective accountability and control mechanisms. There is a continuing lack of investigations into high-level corruption and a serious deterioration in media freedom. The call to the Bulgarian authorities is to increase the transparency of media ownership. MEPs regret that the Constitutional Union's decision prevents Bulgaria from ratifying the Istanbul Convention.

Emil Radev from GERB/ ​EPP on October 9 explained in the studio of BNT’s "The day begins" show that less than 3% of the EPP supported the resolution. Such resolutions are usually voted on by a large majority. The vote for the resolution on Bulgaria was imposed by force, for 10 days, and it was seen that it was composed entirely of proposals from the Socialists, Greens and Liberals.

"Unfortunately, it did not turn out to be a good document," Radev said.

He is of the opinion that this resolution was used purely in the aspect of domestic politics to overthrow Borissov's government. Brussels cannot overthrow the government, but they have tried, the MEP believes.

"With this resolution, we see calls for things that are beyond the competence of the European Union," he said.

MEP Petar Vitanov of the Bulgarian Socialist Party BSP/PES described the resolution as a "red card" for GERB's cabinet. In his opinion, the political trust in the government has been unequivocally removed. The deterioration of democratic standards, the retreat in the media, the retreat in terms of civil rights and respect for the rule of law were highlighted.

"In the end, this type of government was exposed. This is not an anti-Bulgarian resolution," Vitanov said.

According to him, this supports the fair demands of Bulgarians who want change, as this type of government does not meet European standards.

"Any attempt to shift the focus from the rule of law, civil liberties and democratic standards is another attempt to gain time," said the Socialist MP.