Parliament votes down opposition’s proposal to lift sanctions against Russia

The majority in Bulgaria’s Parliament on March 4 voted to reject a proposal moved by the opposition Bulgarian Socialist Party, BSP, on lifting the EU sanctions against Russia, as well as Russia's reciprocal sanctions against EU countries.

The main argument of the socialists was that Bulgaria suffers economic losses from these sanctions. The ruling GERB said they were in dialogue with Russia and reminded that foreign policy was determined by the government.

The proposal was rejected by a vote of 60 against, 51 abstentions and 82 in favour.

It was supported by the MPs of BSP and from nationalist Ataka party. The votes against came from 51 MPs of GERB and nine of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms, while 37 MPs of GERB and 14 of the United Patriots abstained.