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Technical problems, for which a lot of resignations have already been requested in Bulgaria, have depersonalized most of the debate in the European Parliament on the problems in Bulgaria. Most of the discussion took place “outdoors” due to a broken audio system in the room. This prevented viewers from hearing the full speeches of the deputies. The pause of a few minutes at the beginning of the discussion did not help to eliminate the problem.
The audiobook caused the discontent of thousands of Bulgarians who followed the signal from the European Parliament live. It got to the point that both government supporters and protesters made comments to express their dissatisfaction in writing to the leaders of the institution.
The debate itself went as expected, with the camps divided on a political basis.
Representatives of the EPP family expressed respect for the right to peaceful protest of citizens in our country and agreed with the findings that in our country more work is needed to achieve the necessary results, but they also agreed that the democratic way to determine the final evaluation is the holding of regular parliamentary elections in spring 2021.
Critical reading of the European report last week entered the arsenal of the left-wing political family. The most emotional was once again the Irish MP Claire Daly, who in recent weeks has caused a sensation with her blunt statements on political life in Bulgaria. “Don’t you think that Bulgarians deserve elections?”he asked and compared the elite to vampires, who, in his words, benefit from European support.
Despite the expectations of a conflict between the MEPs nominated by GERB and BSP, the most spectacular was the confrontation between the members of the EP from the IMRO and MRF lists: Angel Djambazki and Ilhan Kyuchuk.
Djambazki was the first to speak, defending the government and announcing that the political force that has become synonymous with corruption in Bulgaria is called MRF. Immediately afterwards, Ilhan Kyuchuk replied, reminding him of the “IMRO coffers” and the “golden passports”. “There is a parliamentary committee here that will deal with this issue,” Kyuchuk threatened. His reply infuriated Djambazki, who demanded that his colleague be punished under EP rules for “yelling staff, assaulting and lying.”
Gwendolyn Delbos-Corfield of the Green Party called for surveillance of Bulgaria to be maintained because it is “the only mechanism to fight corruption” and the country receives money, although reports allege irregularities. Later, Elena Yoncheva stood behind the microphone, but just when her critical words were to be heard, the audio system refused and all that was heard was that “the pain of Bulgaria today is the pain of the entire European Union “.
Thus, the most critical statement against the Bulgarian government was again at the expense of Claire Daly. Her claim that the government of our country is doing what it knows and “laughing” at the EP, received a response from Andrey Kovachev.
“Very harsh words that cannot be left without comment. The European Parliament should not be an instrument of political propaganda. We, as democrats, support the rule of law,” said the EPP deputy, taking advantage of the moment to criticize the left. “makes us accept the Macedonian minority”.
Finally, the EU Commissioner, Vera Yourova, and the German Minister for European Affairs, Michael Roth, spoke.
“We will continue to work on the verification and monitoring mechanism, because this mechanism does not mean checking boxes. We want to see tangible results and a lasting positive effect on the judiciary and the fight against crime and organized crime in Bulgaria. We will maintain the mechanism because the Bulgarian Bulgarians do not trust us and have sent us the message: keep an eye on what is happening in Bulgaria, the EPPO will soon be operational and Bulgaria was one of the countries that actively participated in its formation. active EU contribution to the fight against European funds “Yourova announced.
For his part, Michael Roth said that “people who demonstrate European values” deserve solidarity in Europe. He also responded to Andrei Novakov’s statement. The EPP MEP predicted that the debate would damage Bulgaria’s image, resented accusations that children were being gassed in Bulgaria and added that “we will recover when we stop solving the problems and start to fix them ourselves.”
According to Roth, the debate can be problematic, but it is important.
“Such discussions should not be seen as a problem for the state.”Michael Roth said, emphasizing that he was speaking “like a man in whose land a man of Jewish faith was attacked”.
On 1 October, the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs adopted a resolution on Bulgaria by 35 votes to 30 and one abstention, urging the European Commission to continue to monitor judicial reform and the fight against corruption in Bulgaria under the cooperation and verification mechanism. It is this resolution that is currently being debated. The final text of the resolution will be voted on on Thursday.
Summary of today’s speeches:
On behalf of European People’s Party (IN P) Manfred weber He pointed out that our country is in transition and not everything is perfect. It is good that young people have taken to the streets and expressed their views, they cannot wait for rapid progress. The recent European Commission report is honest and evidence-based. “The Bulgarians have tasks, but they should be proud of what has been achieved so far. There is an EPP government and a socialist president in the country, there is a balance of power.”added.
“We have seen demonstrations, young people express their views and it cannot be said that there is no freedom of the press, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov has defended young people. We must respect the elections, Borissov was elected by the citizens, there is no reason Progress is needed Borissov leads a pro-European government, promotes the introduction of the euro, supports the rule of law mechanism The government has something to do, but the country is on the right track The change of government should not take place through protests but through elections, citizens will decide “Weber summarized.
Juan Aguilar (Socialists and Democrats) pointed out that there are deficiencies in our country and constant accusations of corruption in the judiciary and persecution of political rivals. “The situation is similar in other EU countries, such as Hungary and Poland”added.
Ramona Strugariu (“Renew Europe”) stated that the Bulgarians need the support of the EU. “Some of the influential figures of the EP support Borissov. You support people against whom there are serious accusations“she added.
Daniel freund (Green) noted that he was at the protests in Sofia and there he learned that the people were fed up with corruption and seized justice. “I understand that European funds are constantly being stolen. Bulgarians do not see decisive action from the EU. Everyone I spoke with called for European funding to be stopped so that the oligarchs are not taken advantage of. The EU must be with the people who are fighting. against corruption in Bulgaria “, called Freund.
Angel Djambazki (European Conservatives and Reformers / IMRO) defined the resolution drawn up by the EP for our country as far-left politically and ideologically. In Bulgaria, people are protesting, the government respects their right to protest peacefully, he said. According to him, politicians should not comment on the judiciary.
“When it comes to corruption, people in Bulgaria always think of the MRF,” said Djambazki. The biggest corruption scandals are related to this political group, he added. According to him, the resolution discusses “same-sex marriage” and the Istanbul Convention. The protest is not about the Istanbul Convention, what is the value of raising the issue of same-sex marriage “Djambazki asked. He said that Bulgaria is a one-nation state with only one language and this cannot be changed.
Claire Daly (European United Left) pointed out that according to the government of our country, the EC report reports progress. According to her, the government tells the EC what it wants to hear, and then they do what they want and laugh. “Bulgarians are on their knees, have been on the streets for three months and suffer from police violence”said the Daily. According to her, the Bulgarians will deal with their government, but they hope that the EU will stop the country’s access to European funds.
Andrey Kovachev (EPP / GERB) called on the European Parliament not to be used for the political propaganda of any party. “We support the rule of law, we want judgments. Anyone who wants to change in Bulgaria must prepare for democratic elections. Bulgaria will implement all the recommendations, they are in the interest of the Bulgarian citizens for more justice. The resolution is a political fruit of a la left of this parliament and is based on speculation, rumors and unsubstantiated doubts. Democracy always wins “summarized.
Ilhan Kyuchyuk (“Renew Europe” / MRF) noted that one of the chronic problems for Bulgarian democracy in the last 30 years is that it is not possible to campaign in a language other than Bulgarian. She chided Djambazki for not speaking. “for the IMRO piggy bank – the golden passports”. In a response, Djambazki defined this statement as “pure and unacceptable lie”and asked that Kyuchyuk be punished for a personal attack.
Elena Yoncheva (CD / BSP) stated that the voice of Bulgarian citizens is already clearly heard throughout Europe. According to her, the government of Prime Minister Borissov has allowed “certain people and circles” take advantage of Bulgaria’s membership of the EU at the expense of the Bulgarian people. “His government is leading to a growing abuse of power, poverty and the collapse of freedom of the press.”she added.
Andrey Novakov (EPP / GERB) pointed out that the name of our country will be clouded by this debate. “No one is saying that this government is flawless and has solved all the problems of the transition. We all want an independent judiciary, but it is the result of a joint effort. This will not happen with the change from one government to another. We will be fine when let’s stop raising the problems and start solving them ourselves “added.
EC Vice President Vera Yurova confirmed that the commission fully supports the right to peaceful protest. “Events in Bulgaria show that good governance and independent justice are important to citizens“she added.
Yurova pointed out that the cooperation and verification mechanism is in force for our country, because there is still work to be done. “It is important that there is no setback in the progress made. Efforts are needed in Bulgaria, not because Brussels wants it, but because the Bulgarians deserve it.”she added.
Yurov and Didier Reynders, EU Commissioner for Justice asked our country to follow the recommendations of the Venice Commission on changes in the constitution and the responsibility of the Attorney General. “A series of firm convictions for high-level corruption is still needed”Reinders added. He pointed out that we have institutions against corruption and relevant legislation, but it is necessary to use them.
Michael roth On behalf of the German Presidency of the Council of the EU, he stated that the rule of law is a fundamental principle and applies to all EU countries without exception. “Peaceful protesters deserve respect. Such discussion can be painful, but it is useful.”Roth commented.
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