United Patriots meet for coalition council to decide on Simeonov’s resignation

The United Patriots (minority partner in the ruling coalition) will make a decision in a coalition council this afternoon on the case with the demanded resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Valeri Simeonov, who is from the National Front for Salvation of Bulgaria (NFSB) – a constituent party in the United Patriots.

Theresignation of Deputy PM Simeonov was demanded by protesting mothers of disabled children because of a statement in which he described protesters as "a group of shrill women who speculated with their children, manipulated the society, taking out in the streets those allegedly ill children in hot weather and rain."

Ataka party, another constituent member of the United Patriots alliance, have already said they lost political confidence and propose someone else from the alliance to take his post.

Simeonov himself refused to resign. The NFSB will probably resume the issue of Volen Siderov's resignation as chair of the parliamentary group of the United Patriots for insulting Valeri Simeonov.

Prime Minister Boyko Borissov commented that if he forcefully demanded Valeri Simeonov to resign, this would break the whole construction and with such an act the government would fall.

The position of the third constituent party in the alliance, IMRO, is also expected. Deputy Prime Minister Krasimir Karakachanov told media that he would first talk to the two partners. At 17:30 on 23^rd of October, mothers of children with disabilities again meet for a protest outside the Council of Ministers building.