Former BSP chairwoman Cornelia Ninova told her version of Rumen Radev's elevation to president in 2016, the subsequent cooling in their relations and the processes that, according to her, led to a severe crisis in the left-wing political space. Ninova categorically rejected the allegations of influence of the arms lobby, business circles or external factors, defining them as political legends used according to the interest of the moment. "He appointed ministers from GERB. That's how the alienation from the BSP began. Then he began to create parties that he pointed out as an alternative to the GERB model, while we were fighting this model relentlessly and stubbornly for 10 years," the former BSP leader also commented to Bulgaria ON AIR. As a turning point, Ninova also pointed out the actions surrounding the overthrow of the government with the participation of the PP, which, according to her, took place with the support of GERB and the MRF and caused serious damage to the party.
"We were collecting candidacies, we were in a difficult situation, because I had just been elected chairwoman and the elections came. We were collecting candidacies from everywhere, from all organizations. Radev's candidacy also came. The administrative director of the party at the time personally submitted it to me. We met with the candidates. I invited Radev, we met, we liked him. We invited him to the National Council and that's how things went. This is my point of view and for me this is the right one," the leader of "Unruly Bulgaria" said on the air of "Denyat ON AIR."
The beginning of the rift with the president
The rift between her and the president, according to her words, began very early - with the first caretaker government appointed by Radev.
Influence through internal opposition
The former leader of the socialists claims that the president could not formally control the BSP, but influenced indirectly through internal opposition that received positions in the service cabinets.
"Formally, he cannot control the BSP due to the requirements of the statute, but through the so-called internal opposition against me, which he appointed to various positions in the official offices, he interfered in the processes in the BSP", said Ninova.
The relations between the BSP and Radev today, in her words, are a symptom of a deeper crisis.
Criticisms of the BSP and Radev's future project
Ninova believes that the party is in a difficult situation mainly because of its participation in the government with GERB and MRF, which she defines as a betrayal of left-wing voters.
She is also critical of the internal processes in the BSP, defining the upcoming election of a new leader as a struggle between lobbies.
Regarding Rumen Radev's future political project, Ninova makes serious criticisms. According to her, he does not clearly name the model and the people he claims to be fighting against, leaves the door open for coalitions with GERB and does not clearly state an ideological identity.
"Radev is not new. He has been in politics for nine years, of which he governed with five caretaker governments, we know what happened then. At least the people's lives have certainly not improved. The people are on the move, but I hope for reason, because we have no more time to waste," said the leader of "Nepokorna Bulgaria".