President Rumen Radev on December 18 held another round of consultations on forming a new government, this time meeting representatives of the parliamentary group Morality, Unity, Honour (MECh). Earlier in the day, he met members of the Alliance for Rights and Freedoms.
The talks follow the resignation of the government led by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, which stepped down under pressure from large-scale protests across the country.
Rumen Radev, President of Bulgaria:
“Do you see any prospect for this National Assembly to continue under a different governing configuration? I would, however, like to take the question a step further. Under the constitutional amendments, the National Assembly is no longer dissolved when a caretaker government is appointed, but continues its work until a regular cabinet is formed.
Given the important tasks ahead, my question is how you see the working atmosphere in this parliament, which appears to be deteriorating with each passing day. I would also like your views on the fairness and transparency of the elections. What happened yesterday with the budget? This is difficult to explain through any logical framework—it has become something of a mystery what exactly happened and how this issue will now develop.”
Radostin Vassilev, Leader of MECh:
“A year ago, we stated clearly that we saw no possibility of forming a functioning government through political betrayals. The current government was formed through major political betrayals by 'There is Such a People' and the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), which in turn led to dissatisfaction among a large part of their voters.
Over the past year in this National Assembly, we have seen that the majority is incapable of adopting workable decisions. It failed to listen to the voice of the opposition and demonstrated unprecedented arrogance. This majority formed a government which, throughout its tenure, showed disregard for institutional principles.
A perception was created—indeed, a fact—that the country was being governed by a party that did not formally participate in the formation of the government, namely 'MRF – New Beginning'.”
“In this Parliament, it is neither possible to form a normal, regular government without enormous political betrayal. The parliamentary parties have already declared that they are not willing to engage in such actions. Nor does the mechanism for the continuous functioning of Parliament, which you referred to, work in this assembly.”
“This Parliament is also incapable of producing an electoral code that would guarantee fair and free elections, because the majority within it continues to differ from those who genuinely want such elections. We will go through a series of elections—I said this the last time I met you as well. Most likely, we need to undergo this catharsis in order to cleanse ourselves of political actors who have betrayed the trust of the people.
If change does not come through the parliamentary mechanisms of democracy, in which we believe, then—as you have seen from the situation on the streets and from what happened yesterday in the National Assembly—Bulgaria is not far from revolution. Every revolution has a catalyst, and in this case it is Delyan Peevski and ‘New Beginning’, and Boyko Borissov.”
Vassilev told the President that holding elections in February would be inappropriate, saying it would be better if they take place in the first week of April.
Rumen Radev, President of Bulgaria:
“I support your view on the timing of elections—there are indeed unsuitable months. Elections have never been held in February.”
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