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Former Prime Minister and former Tsar Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha addressed on September 22, Independence Day. In it, he said that the government must listen to the demands of the protest and it is time for a change.
Here is the full address of Simeon II:
On the eve of September 22, such an important date, the declaration of independence of Bulgaria, which makes the country a sovereign, independent and equal subject in international relations, let us understand that this was possible thanks to the united efforts of the entire nation! !
The lesson of that time is still valid today: united and cohesive we can achieve much more than confronted and divided. At the moment, unfortunately, we see strong opposition in Bulgarian society and also among state institutions. This is not the best in an unprecedented global crisis, not only health but also economic.
Bulgaria is undoubtedly among the countries that have managed to protect human life without blocking its economy and the results are there, Saxe-Coburg-Gotha said, adding that despite the expected decline in economic activity, the effects of pandemics are incomparably milder than in others. countries.
Rather than draw attention to this fine example and emphasize the opportunities we offer in an increasingly globalized Europe, we stand out for an unstable political environment!
Something we were proud of until recently, along with our financial stability. Low external debt, in which Bulgaria ranks second in the EU after Estonia, our accession to the monetary mechanism (ERM-2), are undoubtedly great successes that make us attractive to foreign investors. But, as we know, capital fears unforeseen political convulsions and messages of uncontrollable corruption.
In a democracy, the natural process of change of government is after elections. The ideal option to give stability to a country is to complete the mandate of a parliament and a government elected regularly, “emphasized Saxe-Coburg-Gotha.
However, when some citizens believe that the social contract with the government has been violated by complying with democratic rules, they have the right to come out and protest.
The presumption that some of the participants were paid, as well as the presence of provocateurs, does not mean that they are neglected. It is obvious that the large percentage of protesters are young. Many of them are also protesting abroad, where they study or live.
I heard that they should not have an opinion on the processes in our country, but we forget that most of them financially support their families here, who would have difficulties to survive alone with the amount of a Bulgarian pension. In reality, these people contribute to the state and its finances, and not a little, said the former prime minister.
As a former exile, I have always asked the Bulgarian communities abroad for their most recent return to the homeland, which needs them. Will we bring them back by telling them that their opinion is irrelevant?
Certainly there are provocative interests in the current situation. However, these multi-day protests are already expressing public sentiment, which the government should listen to.
Public outrage is a corrective to governance and a way for citizens to voice their demands. The opportunity to listen to different opinions, to freely express different opinions is a privilege of democracy. The European Union gives us an example of political pluralism as a basic principle of understanding and coexistence. The silencing of critical voices is typical of the totalitarian regimes that we have lived through, condemned, and happily left behind.
It is clear to everyone that it is time for a change. Not so much about personalities as about management style and political practices. We cannot and must not turn a blind eye to the numerous irregularities in the functioning of the administration. We cannot ignore the obvious phenomena of corruption or the need to modernize the judiciary.
I think it is of great importance not to mislead Europe, not to cover up the cumbersome and ineffective absorption of cohesion funds, not to embellish the progress reports in a certain area.
This means, above all, lying to ourselves. Here and now, the EU will provide us with about 30 billion euros, 7.7 billion of which for free, but against specific requirements, not just donated money: investments through projects in areas such as ecology, digital transformation, sustainable employment. All the policies young people appeal to.
Will we have the capacity in conditions of political instability and conflict between institutions to prepare and implement such successful projects? To be successful, we are doomed to come to an understanding on key issues and to strongly defend pro-European integration.
We have all the conditions, in accordance with democratic principles and norms, and complying with European requirements, to achieve a much higher standard of living for all. We cannot afford to be divided in the current crisis.
Dissatisfied protesters have the right to demand change and the government must respond with appropriate measures. If we simply change one cabinet for another, without removing the harmful political practices that distort the democratic process in our country, we will lose energy in political crises for a long time.
It is accepted that power is a reflection of society, but it must also be prepared for change. Today, it is a priority for all of us to mobilize our forces to move forward, rather than trying to destroy those who think differently from us. Let’s learn from history: only together we succeeded!
