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The critical conclusions of the European Parliament resolution on the rule of law in Bulgaria were downplayed by the ruling GERB-Patriots United coalition and praised by the opposition BSP. The first EP resolution on the country, preceded by the highly critical European Commission report on the rule of law in Bulgaria, sparked parliamentary passions on Friday morning.
“Our democracy is sick and the only cure is resignation.”
“Since yesterday, Europe has pointed the finger at the culprits of this situation. The culprits are the political party GERB and the United Patriots (…) This is already a diagnosis. Our democracy is sick. We must heal, we must find a cure. “said the socialist Dragomir Stoynev, adding that “the only cure is immediate resignation.”
According to him, the EU has already realized that “Companies close to the government of government seize European funds”. However, he stressed that our country should not enjoy this resolution.
Stoynev recalled that only a few days ago the EC report was published: It showed that there is corruption in Bulgaria, there is no freedom of the media in Bulgaria, a lack of rule of law and, most surprisingly, GERB and United Patriots said: “Great report.”
According to him, the European People’s Party, of which the GERB is a member and which did not support the resolution, remains a minority in the European Parliament.
“Liberals and socialists keep the cauldron in hell”
“As long as there are socialists and liberals in Bulgaria, we don’t need guards around the cauldron in hell (…) You are much more socialist than Bulgarian. There is no true Bulgarian who takes such pleasure from such actions of his representation “said in response GERB MP Toma Bikov.
He described the adoption of the document as “a great success for BSP and MRF” and ironically explained: “Congratulations on the fact that in recent weeks you have managed to organize the Socialist, Liberal and Green MEPs, you have not won the elections, for stain Bulgaria “.
According to Bikov the rulers had the support of “Europe has won”and the opposition – in “the lost Europe “because they had the support of “a few ideological currents that leave because people do not want them.”
Bikov probably missed the current political trends in Europe, which show a steady rise in green parties and movements, whose representatives in the EP are among the uncompromising critics of the suppression of democratic values in the EU.
Bikov, however, acknowledged that Bulgaria, “like all other European countries”, has problems with corruption and the rule of law. “But we will not accept that Bulgaria is the black sheep of Europe, because it is not like that.”added the MP.
“We are no worse than North Korea. We are no worse than the countries of Europe.”, Toma Bikov said.
Later, the Speaker of Parliament, Tsveta Karayancheva, announced that the resolution is a political act that has no legal or legislative value.
“This is a political act that they will use in their electoral campaign, of course We will respond with the works we have done, with what we have to do with the next budget“, he said, recalling the government’s announced intention that all children receive benefits next year, regardless of family income, and that pensions be increased.
When asked if these were not populist movements in the context of the upcoming elections, the Speaker of Parliament replied that it was a step-by-step implementation of the ruling coalition’s electoral program.
Macedonian minority, gay marriage, and a resolution
For IMRO, passing the resolution amounts to national treason and its biggest sin is that it asked Bulgaria to accept the Istanbul Convention, despite the decision of the Constitutional Court. “Yesterday, the descendants of the murderers of the People’s Court embraced the descendants of the victims and committed national treason in the EP in the name of a few more votes.”Alexander Sidi said.
According to him, the discussion about the rule of law was sparked by “various non-governmental organizations, infamous in Bulgaria for their anti-Bulgarian activities “ and it became “a platform for the promotion of the rights of gypsies, LGBTI, homosexual marriage, the Istanbul Convention, the Macedonian minority, etc.”
“All issues that are not on the agenda of Bulgarian society at all. Furthermore, the EP allowed itself to question the decision of the Bulgarian Constitutional Court. This is scandalous and unacceptable. And all of this was supported by the voices of those called to themselves, Bulgarian MEPs of the BSP and “Democratic Bulgaria”. This is the true face of these parties “Sidi said in conclusion.
“This is a sign that Bulgaria is off the European path.”
BSP MEP Elena Yoncheva, who along with Radan Kanev of Democratic Bulgaria was the initiator of the debate on Bulgaria in the EP, spared no harsh words to the Boyko Borissov government and to the leader of the socialists Cornelia Ninova. On Friday, he told bTV that everyone talking about the Istanbul Convention and UMO Ilinden is diverting the public’s attention from the main thing in the European Parliament resolution.
“The resolution on Bulgaria is a sign that our country is getting off the European path, it shows that Borissov is taking Bulgaria out of Europe with his government in the last 10 years.”Yoncheva said.
He was referring to Ninova, who previously said she supported most of the EP resolution, except for the part where Bulgaria has been criticized for not accepting the Istanbul Convention. As is known, the ratification of the convention failed due to hysterical resistance from the BSP and IMRO, which was later “sealed” by decision of the Constitutional Court.
Prime Minister Boyko Borissov prefers to discuss the country’s cited problems with the “Macedonian minority”, although they are not explicitly mentioned. The resolution contains a footnote on the cases of UMO Ilinden against Bulgaria in the Strasbourg court.
Yoncheva recalled that the EP resolution deals with the rule of law and human rights:
“The document says that this government is not legitimate for the EU, this is a “yellow” card for the government, the next one must be “red” by the EC. But you know that (the EC) is dominated by the European People’s Party, which in general, with few exceptions, did not support this resolution. “Yoncheva told bTV.
Regarding the Istanbul Convention, the MEP says that the EP accepts the decision of the Constitutional Court, but insists on ratifying those elements that do not contradict the Bulgarian constitution.
“It is clarified that issues related to violence against women, an increase in the centers where they can get help. It is tried by both the GERB and the nationalists, some of the BSP colleagues also fall into this trap, to change the essence of this Convention “Yoncheva explained.
“Over time, it will become clear why the BSP is doing this.”
She believes that long ago the Bulgarian left should have left the parliament and not supported Borissov until the end of his regular term. “In time you will see why the left is doing this. In time you will see that I was right.”Yoncheva added.
On the trust she lost in the Socialists in Haskovo, the MEP said:
“I didn’t think that today, when you criticize your leader harshly, they might want to lose confidence. It reminds me of other times.”
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