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Tonight, Members of the European Parliament are discussing the ongoing anti-corruption protests in Bulgaria and the state of the rule of law in the country.
According to the adopted regulation, only MEPs previously appointed by their parliamentary groups can make speeches. From the group of the European People’s Party will be its president Manfred Weber, Andrey Kovachev, who is the vice president of the group, Roberta Mezzola – coordinator of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs and Andrey Novakov. The president of the Civil Liberties Commission, José López Aguilar and Elena Yoncheva, will speak on behalf of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats.
According to the EPP decision, the Bulgarian Democratic MEP, Radan Kanev, will not have the floor.
Professor Velislav Minekov, part of the “Poison Trio”, organizer of the protests, is also in Brussels.
Before the meeting, it was clear that GERB leader Boyko Borissov and his government would receive the full support of the EPP until the ordinary elections in March. The position was announced by the president of the PPE group, Manfred Weber, according to whom the PPE fully supports the Bulgarian government. “in its efforts to protect the economy from the negative effects of the Covid-19 crisis, in the fight against corruption and in the process of joining the euro zone. “
According to him, the political actions that “They undermine the independence of the judiciary and hinder the fight against corruption, jeopardize Bulgaria’s success in Europe and reverse the concrete progress and support for Bulgaria that we have seen in recent years.”
“The European Commission’s assessment of the rule of law has been fair, showing that there is a need for improvement. However, the government has made progress on many issues, bringing it closer to the euro and Schengen. Respect for the protesters, but regular elections in March they will decide. “ Weber announced on Twitter.
Good chat with @BoykoBorissov over Bulgaria today. @EU_Commission The rule of law assessment was fair, showing that improvements are needed. However, the government has made progress on many issues by helping it #Euro #Schengen. The protesters are respected, but the ordinary elections in March will decide.
– Manfred Weber (@ManfredWeber) October 5, 2020
Whether all EPP MEPs will support the unblocked Bulgarian government and its sister party GERB will be clear on Thursday when the resolution is voted on, which will be the first of the European Parliament for Bulgaria.
Tonight Commissioners Didier Reynders and Vera Yourova will present the position of the European Commission to MEPs. The German Presidency and the Member States will be represented by the German Minister for European Affairs, Michael Roth.
The EC report on the rule of law in Bulgaria criticizes the untouchability of the attorney general, pointing to problems in the fight against corruption, the independence of the judiciary and dependence on the media. A few days later, the EP Civil Liberties Committee adopted a draft resolution “for a significant deterioration of the rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights, including the independence of the judiciary, the separation of powers, the fight against corruption and freedom of the media” in Bulgaria.
MEPs are also debating today linking the rule of law with the budget of the European Union. Parliament maintains that European funding for countries that violate the rule of law should be reduced or suspended.
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