site.btaPES President Stanishev Argues that Constitutional Court's Rejection of Istanbul Convention "Saves" Ruling Coalition

Sofia, July 28 (BTA) - Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Party of the European Socialists President Sergei Stanishev said that with its decision that the Istanbul Convention contravenes the Bulgarian Constitution, the Constitutional Court has saved the ruling coalition. The Court's decision was issued on Friday. The PES President spoke to reporters during a traditional gathering of the opposition Bulgarian Socialist Party on Bouzloudja Peak on Saturday.

Stanishev said that "the Istanbul Convention was an irreconcilable, fundamental difference between GERB [the major partner in the ruling coalition] and the United Patriots. Any other decision would have caused a deep rift between the politicians in the ruling coalition, which is anyway constantly shaken by quarrels and controversies".

Stanishev argued that had the Istanbul Convention been ruled compliant with the Constitution, this would have meant the end of the government of GERB and the United Patriots. "This demonstrates that the decision of the Constitutional Court is politically-motivated, and based on weak and unconvincing reasoning," he said. Stanishev described the decision as "a sad news for Bulgaria as it shows that the law succumbs to political pressure".