PM Rosen Zhelyazkov: Democracy Requires Listening to Dissenting Views, Even When We Disagree

Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said democracy requires hearing differing opinions, even when they are unwelcome, ahead of the government meeting on December 10.

“Democracy requires the ability to listen to dissenting voices, even when we do not like them, because this preserves the choice Bulgaria made more than three decades ago – the path of a democratic, law-based system,” Zhelyazkov said at the start of the meeting.

Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov emphasised the importance of the entire cabinet attending the debates on the no-confidence vote, noting that all arguments – whether well-founded or not – must be heard in order to properly guide analyses, conclusions, and policy decisions.

Zhelyazkov reminded that his government came with a clear intention to build upon the achievements of previous administrations, so that future governments could stand on the work already done. He highlighted that the cabinet listens to both young people and older generations on how to make Bulgaria a better place to live.

The Prime Minister called for protests to remain calm and peaceful, underlining that exercising civil rights should go hand in hand with respecting the rights of everyone – including protesters, police officers, and other groups – regardless of political differences.