Parties outline final parliamentary priorities in pre-election tone

At the start of the new session of the 51st National Assembly, which is expected to be the last before the anticipated snap elections in the spring, the parties outlined their priorities in parliamentary statements.

On behalf of GERB-SDS, MP Toma Bikov called for an end to hate speech and for a tolerant pre-election campaign. “The only formula to overcome the political crisis will be a coalition government”, Toma Bikov emphasized.

On behalf of “We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria,” Nikolay Denkov called for fair elections “with changes to the Election Code, 100% machine voting, and the immediate removal of the illegal Prosecutor General.”

Kostadin Kostadinov, leader of “Vazrazhdane,” called for a new constitution and the “re-founding of the state”. According to him, “there is a need to review all alliances Bulgaria is part of and all international treaties to which the country is a party.”

“Over the past months, the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) has been part of the governing majority and contributed to the stability of the country”, said Dragomir Stoynev on behalf of BSP. He expressed regret that Bulgaria is the first country to enter the Eurozone without a regular government and budget, on the eve of elections.

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“Let us finish our work with reason and respect for the people who sent us here”, said Iskra Mihaylova from “DPS – New Beginning.”

"In order to complete all reforms, there must be a working parliament and cabinet," said Pavela Mitova on behalf of "There Is Such a People." After listing the merits of her party, she concluded that they are "confident that the wise Bulgarian people remember and will sift the truth from the lies."

Hayri Sadakov from the “Alliance for Rights and Freedoms” called for effective machine voting, electronic counting, and centralized reporting of results to prevent voter intimidation and fraud.

The leader of “Velichie”, MP Ivelin Mihaylov, took the podium holding a copy of the constitution which he praised. He criticized the ethics of interaction among MPs from different groups.

The MECH party declined to make a statement.

 Edited by Ivo Ivanov

Translated by Kostadin Atanasov