The political crisis in Bulgaria is entering its next acute stage - protests in the streets, a fallen government, tension over the budget and the upcoming entry into the eurozone. What is the role of key figures in power? Smilyana Nitova, a lawyer and member of the leadership of "Unruly Bulgaria", spoke in front of FACTI.
- Ms. Nitova, where is Bulgaria heading? You were a BSP MP in parliament, but how do you view what is happening now. Protests, resignation, and from January 1 we are adopting the euro - which of the three worries you the most?
- First, let me clarify one thing - I left the BSP more than a year ago because of the betrayal of the new leadership. The protests make me happy. In Haskovo, thousands of people came out to the square. It was like this all over Bulgaria. The resignation is a result of the protests. It was time for this disgraceful government, elected after election fraud, broken oaths, lies, privileges and incompetence, to go.
Adopting the euro without fulfilling the criteria is the most worrying thing.
The economy is not good. Rounding prices and speculation are dangerous and lead to serious consequences for ordinary people. The rulers are powerless to deal with this problem.
- We will enter the eurozone with an extended budget. At least for now. Is this an innovative approach, because no other country has done it?
- The budget was a detonator capsule that filled the squares with protesters. And its second version, which is worse, did not calm the passions. Everyone told them that their budget was bad - from the workers to the European Commission. I see that the pressure is increasing to accept the budget that ignited the protests at all costs. This enthusiasm of the ruling party is extremely suspicious to me. I don't trust them to care about society, and I think that they have distributed projects through municipalities, public procurement, secondary roads, armaments, etc. between GERB, BSP, DPS and ITN.
- Where is the statehood, where are the statesmen who can guarantee the stability of the country?
- They are currently outside the parliament. This is the big “X“ in the ruling elite. People who lie to their voters indiscriminately. They even sign sanitary cordons, and then deny their signatures. I – as a lawyer, I find it disgraceful.
In politics, we need people who keep their word and can govern.
This is statesmanlike and responsible behavior. Anything else is fraud. Judge politicians not by beautiful promises, but by deeds and work actually done with results.
- Why does trust in our politicians decrease with each successive parliament? What does this show?
- Low level of those in power. Anti-selection. In recent parliaments, it has become a common practice to fight, swear, insult… This disgusts every normal person. And at the same time - no product, no sustainable legislation, no meaningful conversation. In “Rebellious Bulgaria“ we work along this vector – real policy, oriented towards results, security, we keep our word.
- Rosen Zhelyazkov or Boyko Borisov threw the resignation of the cabinet? Who had the real power…
- Borisov himself said that there were five prime ministers. Borisov did not stop humiliating Zhelyazkov for an entire term. Not that he did not humiliate himself after agreeing to be a straw prime minister behind the scenes. Borisov nominally threw the resignation, but under the pressure of the protests. Otherwise, he bargained for postponements.
And the real power was in Peevski, who ordered ministers, handed out tasks, lined up regulators…
BSP and ITN were in the role of the executors.
- The governing majority was made up of GERB-SDF, BSP and ITN with the supposedly unsolicited support of "DPS – A new beginning. Which party was telling what to do? What did you see from the side? - The MRF was the real rulers. Borisov is already weak and pressed against the wall by Peevski. I saw you after the elections in Pazardzhik. Then Borisov threatened to make changes, demanded resignations. Peevski gritted his teeth at him and he cringed. We better not waste our time talking about the ITN and the BSP. These are political corpses. This is what happens with traitors and servants. They go into oblivion. They will never enter parliament again. - The entire executive bureau of the BSP resigned, but without Atanas Zafirov? What kind of move is this? - This is an attempt to quell the hatred of the rank-and-file members of the BSP, as many as are left. The disintegration there is complete. The disappointment is total. Such betrayal! Such lies! In addition, they are manipulating the people again. Instead of immediately convening a National Council to vacate the bureau, and a congress to elect a new chairman, they are postponing it until January. And one more thing - they want this same leadership to line up the new lists so that they can stir again in the next National Assembly. Scoundrels and vested interests. An ugly finale.
- What did the BSP accomplish in this cabinet?
- Nothing, except serving GERB and DPS and traveling the world on meaningless excursions with our money. And a few people to settle down with posts. Their portfolios are a mess - ecology with the water shortage, private hydroelectric power plants, regional with water supply scandals and millions in bonuses in the RIA, social with the frozen social program, sports with the lottery.
They did nothing for children and young families separately.
Do you remember the promise of free medicines for children up to 14? They did not fulfill it. And the commitment that hospitals should not be commercial companies? Nothing here either. And the recalculation of old pensions with a new average social security income? They did not say a word on this issue. Instead, they put an 8-kilometer road in the budget that costs 1 billion euros.
It smells of corruption.
Half of Bulgaria is flooded, in the other half they wash themselves with basins. This is all in the portfolios of the BSP. They betrayed their voters, embraced the mafia and for a year pursued only their personal interests. And this is not only the BSP, but also 30 other left-wing parties. Why are Maya Manolova, Rumen Petkov, Alexander Tomov and a bunch of other left-wing “leaders“, currently ruling, who are part of this coalition, silent now?
- There are consultations with President Rumen Radev, and the general thesis is that there will be no attempt to form a new cabinet within this parliament. Are we going to elections? Do you see the president as a political player?
- We are going to elections. I am a little tired of this game of the president – – – – I will do it – I don't know if I will do it – I might do it – I will do something unexpected“.
He has been spinning the whole of Bulgaria on his finger for the fifth year with these tricks.
Radev created several parties, quarreled with them, supported the internal opposition in the BSP until he broke the party. This is not the behavior of a responsible person. Since I am from Haskovo, I also know many of those who know him from Dimitrovgrad, where he is from. Their reviews are not flattering.
- The same parties, the same people will promise us the same things or there will be new political formations…
- The time for promises is over. They have worn themselves out after 7 elections and lies. Don't believe words. Look at who has done what, who has not lied to you, who has not sold out to the mafia. Judge only by deeds. Otherwise, they will use you again. Just like the BSP, ITN, PP-DB lied to their voters. Never with Borisov and Peevski and always in their laps. Watch this.
- Will the emotion from the protests be transferred to the ballot boxes? Will there be a greater voter turnout?
- Yes, I expect a greater voter turnout. The energy in the square must be poured into the ballot boxes to minimize the bought and controlled vote.