Protest against election of Valeri Simeonov as Parliament’s Deputy Speaker

Mothers of children with disabilities protested against the appointment of Valeri Simeonov as deputy speaker of Bulgaria’s Parliament.

Simeonov was a Deputy Prime Minister in Boyko Borissov’s third coalition government but resigned in November 2018 over controversy about offensive remarks he made about protesting mothers of children with disabilities.

He was elected Deputy Speaker on November 20 from the quota of the parliamentary group of United Patriots, a minority partner in the ruling coalition.

Mothers of children with disabilities held a protest on November 22 in Sofia, demanding the resignation of Simeonov. According to the mothers, the choice of the MPs demonstrates lack of morality and elementary respect for the dignity of the electorate. The protesters urge all MPs who voted in favour of Valeri Simeonov as Deputy Speaker to resign.

Valeri Simeonov himself stated that everyone had the right to protest, but his call for the adoption of the Disabled People Act was too quickly forgotten.

Former ombudsperson Maya Manolova also joined the protest.

Protesters temporarily blocked the traffic.

The protests will continue on Monday, when a car procession is also scheduled.