Kiril Petkov does not want Borissov as prime minister
Delyan Peevski will not allow his people inside and outside the parliament to be restricted and a “sanitary cordon” to be made around them. This is clear from his letter distributed to the media.
With it, he answered indirectly to the leaders of the PP-DB, who announced on Tuesday that they will send a declaration to be signed by all groups that they will not work with Peevski and his deputies in any way. And they urged not to elect a deputy chairman of the 51st National Assembly from “DPS – New Beginning”. According to the rules, one is chosen from each group.
“As the leader of these nearly 300,000 Bulgarian citizens who gave their trust to “DPS – A New Beginning”, to all these Bulgarians, Turks and Roma who gave us this very serious responsibility – to protect and protect them and their interests, I I will not allow anyone to turn them into second class people again or take away their right to live in a peaceful and free Bulgaria. Nor will I allow anyone to isolate or segregate them, or to deprive them of their right to representation in power. Moreover, it is impermissible and unconstitutional to take away a basic freedom – everyone to choose and be chosen. No one should think that!” says Peevski. He does not mention anyone by name, but talks about “failed political leaders” and accuses them of being dangerous for democracy and trying to take power in the second way.
The declaration and the sanitary cordon are among the conditions of the PP-DB to conduct negotiations for a cabinet. We will not agree to Boyko Borisov being prime minister, Kiril Petkov set another condition on Wednesday.
“The positions of GERB were stated already on election night. There is no new situation to comment on. The only thing new is the recognition of the PP-DB that they do not have an equidistant prime minister. A fallacy that they circulated throughout the campaign and yesterday they admitted!” GERB wrote on Facebook on Wednesday morning.
Support for the “sanitary cordon” has already come from one of the formations – Ahmed Dogan’s ”Alliance for Rights and Freedoms”. “Apart from us, who made this sanitary cordon, I don’t know so far who participated. Why are you asking me if we will join? At this stage, we are the only ones,” Dogan told BNT on Wednesday. MECH and Vazrazhdane, who are calling for a broad front against GERB and the two DPS, will probably hit Ramo.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Political Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.news. Today, we have the pleasure of talking with Dr. Elena Georgieva, a political expert specializing in Balkan politics. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Georgieva.
Dr. Georgieva: Thank you for having me! It’s an exciting time in Bulgarian politics.
Editor: Indeed! The recent declarations by Kiril Petkov and Delyan Peevski have sparked conversations across the nation. To start, can you explain the significance of Petkov’s stance on not wanting Boyko Borisov as prime minister?
Dr. Georgieva: Absolutely. Kiril Petkov’s opposition to Borisov reflects a broader concern in Bulgaria about returning to past political norms that many associate with corruption and authoritarianism. Petkov’s party, PP-DB, insists on accountability and transparency, which they believe Borisov’s leadership does not represent.
Editor: It sounds like Petkov’s alliance is drawing a clear line in the sand. How do you see Peevski’s response fitting into this political landscape?
Dr. Georgieva: Peevski’s response is quite strategic. By rejecting the idea of a “sanitary cordon” around his party, he positions himself as a defender of his constituents—Bulgarian Turks and Roma. He emphasizes representation and rejects any implication that his community should be marginalized. This can rally his support base and paint PP-DB as exclusionary.
Editor: Interesting! He mentioned the importance of representation and cited it as a “constitutional right.” How do you interpret that, especially in the context of Bulgarian democracy?
Dr. Georgieva: Peevski is utilizing a powerful narrative there. In his eyes, denying representation to his party reinforces a second-class status for his supporters. He frames this as a fight for basic democratic principles, appealing not just to his base, but also to broader audiences concerned about equality and inclusion. However, it could also be seen as an attempt to solidify his position amidst growing political pressure.
Editor: So where does this leave Bulgaria? With Petkov’s conditions for cabinet negotiations and Peevski’s steadfast declaration, are we heading towards a political stalemate?
Dr. Georgieva: It indeed looks like there’s a potential for stalemate. Petkov’s insistence on rejecting Peevski’s participation signals a rigid stance that may hinder coalition-building efforts. Without compromise, we may see continued political instability. It’s crucial for both sides to find a common ground to move forward; otherwise, the political gridlock could deepen, impacting governance.
Editor: As we navigate these turbulent waters, what should our viewers keep an eye on in the coming weeks?
Dr. Georgieva: Watching how negotiations unfold will be essential. Pay attention to any shifts in alliances, public sentiment, and how various parties respond to the growing tensions. Additionally, the response from grassroots movements advocating for transparency will be something to watch; they could have a significant influence on shaping the political discourse.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Georgieva, for sharing your insights. We look forward to seeing how this complex political landscape evolves.
Dr. Georgieva: Thank you for having me! It’s certainly a pivotal time for Bulgaria, and I’m eager to see the developments unfold.