The leaders of the parties „Democratic Bulgaria“ Hristo Ivanov and „Stand up.BG! We are coming” Maya Manolova made statements from the parliamentary rostrum, in which they were adamant that the society expects a government of change, not of replacement. They stressed that they would in no way support a cabinet that shows the long arm of GERB and MRF.
Ivanov discussed the important problem of corruption:
„Corruption will be the test and is a prerequisite for the implementation of all other policies in Bulgaria. We are told by the European Commission, we are told by the State Department. I do not know why Borissov read Fitch’s assessments and did not read this report. Corruption in Bulgaria is not just a matter of stopping the theft of European funds, but a fundamental problem that it destroys. We are also told by those Bulgarian citizens who choose not to invest their future in Bulgaria. Colleagues from Ima such a nation initiated talks and we thank them, but they are held without an agreement and without any names announced. It is not known to what extent the people who will be offered will be able to fulfill these requests. In addition, the MRF was involved in the talks. This is not something that we from DB will look at it without any problems. We have repeatedly called for the formula for future governance to be based on a clear will to ensure governance. In order to provide an opportunity to implement a program in a composition that can be proposed, and in a composition that will provide a distance from GERB and the MRF. There is no doubt that hundreds of thousands of citizens voted for GERB, which must be respected. But these two political formations continue to be held hostage in their cores of groups around Borisov and around the barn. We will prove this in a series of commissions of inquiry. Until this changes and until they find a way to get rid of the status of a group of citizens, they should not be allowed to influence the future government, to trade in that influence, because this is the door through which corruption will enter. This is a clear reality from which we cannot hide. It must seem very cunning to use the MRF against GERB, but in 2013 we watched it and what happened was that the two tigers tried to hide the dirty secret of their corrupt connection. So if anyone really wants the support of DB, we want to form a government, but one that will transform Bulgaria. We call for the staff of the cabinet to be selected very carefully by people who do not ask questions. But there are people in caretaker government, for example, who attract a lot of trust. And why not make an effort to be attracted to this cabinet. But Kiril Petkov, Asen Vassilev and Prof. Denkov can contribute to the trust in this government. In addition, the government must be programmatic. So if anyone really wants the support of DB, we want to form a government, but one that will transform Bulgaria. We call for the staff of the cabinet to be selected very carefully by people who do not ask questions. But there are people in caretaker government, for example, who attract a lot of trust. And why not make an effort to be attracted to this cabinet. But Kiril Petkov, Asen Vassilev and Prof. Denkov can contribute to the trust in this government. In addition, the government must be programmatic. First of all, we need a change in the Constitution. Secondly, we must have a common vision for clearing regulators of corrupt ladybugs. Thirdly, in the same way, the services need to be cleared one by one so that we can talk about change. We must take measures to restore Bulgaria’s energy sovereignty and measures for Magnitsky sanctions. Last but not least, we will expect a clear commitment to dealing with the looming COVID wave. And on the basis of these priorities we will expect an agreement that will clearly guarantee that GERB and MRF will keep their distance. Today we will start collecting signatures for a commission of inquiry to monitor the actions under the Magnitsky law, as well as why Peevski was absolutely untouchable so far.„
For her part, Manolova announced that the society expects a government of „There is such a people“, supported by the protest parties:
„I know from my experience that when the declarations from the parliamentary rostrum begin, the talks on forming a government do not support it. That is why I would like to state that we are participating in good faith and willingly in the talks initiated by „There is such a people“ party on the specific policies for the future government. We participate because we are aware that this is the will of the Bulgarian citizens. They want stability and normalcy and expect a government of change. We have set our conditions and priorities and their implementation will determine our support. In the first place, we are talking about judicial reform, which should not be limited to changes in the Constitution, but also specific changes to replace the SJC and the Prosecutor General. The revision that we associate with the efforts of the National Assembly to work on the topic of anti-corruption. People expect the waste of Borissov’s cabinet to become public and then accountable. Not unaddressed, but all those who participated to bear their responsibility. We have also set our conditions for a change in social policy – from October 1, recalculation of all pensions, support for families with children and people with disabilities. We want the minimum pension to become BGN 369 and if the approach of the caretaker government is adopted by increasing the insurance length of service, this is only the first step, and from January 1 a recalculation will be made on the basis of insurance income in 2019. People want a government, but a government of change. A government to meet their expectations of integrity to Bulgarian citizens. They expect it to be broadcast by the largest parliamentary group and supported by the protest parties. People expect a government in which GERB and MRF have no influence.„
