"Volya" Party Suggests Referendum on Withdrawal of Bulgaria from NATO

The leader of Volya" party and deputy speaker of Bulgaria’s Parliament, Vesselin Mareshki, said the party will go ahead with the idea of organising a referendum on the withdrawal of Bulgaria from NATO. The ruling coalition said that such a topic is not on the agenda. President Rumen Radev and Defense Minister Krassimir Karakachanov pointed out that NATO guarantees the security of the country.

The idea of a NATO exit referendum will be part of “Volya” party’s campaign for the European elections next year. Mareshki said after taking part in a forum in Nice, organized by the leader of France's far-right Front National, Marin Le Pen. “Volya” will seek support from parties, non-governmental organizations and citizens who are also supporting the idea of withdrawal from NATO.

Europe has enough capacity to be an equal partner of the great powers, to be one of the great powers and not the subject of any of the great powers. It is not weaker than the United States, or Russia, or China. And we believe that the stay of the countries in NATO is suppressing our development and does not give us the opportunity to be such a force, Mareshki said.

The Chair of GERB’s Parliamentary Group, Tsvetan Tsvetanov, said that similar thesis may lead to speculations and suggestions, and he would talk to Mareshki after his return from France.

“We will not make any deviation from NATO membership and this issue is not on the agenda. Both in the Bulgarian government and in much of the democratic community in Bulgaria, “ Tsvetanov said.

According to Movement for Rights and Freedom’s dangerous things happen for the country.

Mustafa Karadaya, MRF chairman: Bright demonstration of populism. This is GERB. One of their partners wants to get out of the EU, their other partner wants to leave NATO.

The leader of the opposition socialist party (BSP), Kornelia Ninova, refused to comment on the words of the leader of "Volya".

The minister of defence sees no logic in the idea of leaving NATO, given the security threats around the world.

Krassimir Karakachanov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence: Cheap populism to raise withered rating a bit. In view of the capacity we have as an armed force, I think NATO is an additional guarantee for our security. Exiting would be a silly political act. At the time Bulgaria joined NATO, Mr. Mareshki was involved in other activities, which were not public. That was the time a referendum should have been held and people asked whether they were “for” or “against”.

Bulgaria’s President, Rumen Radev, does not accept Mareshki's position seriously.

“I think these are jokes. There is no way we can seriously comment on such a topic. Bulgaria is part of NATO. This is our collective security system. And we have to be loyal members of NATO,“ Radev said.

The President added that not only words but also real action is needed to strengthen the defence capabilities of the army.

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