site.bta Right-wing Presidential Candidate Faces Off Nationalists' Nominee in First TV Debate

Right-wing Presidential Candidate Faces Off Nationalists' Nominee in First TV Debate

Sofia, October 11 (BTA) - The presidential candidate of the Reformist Bloc, Traicho Traikov, faced off the candidate of the United Patriots, Krassimir Karakachanov in what was the first TV debate in the battle for the president's office on bTV Tuesday morning.

They discussed a host of issues, including the migrant crisis, corruption, foreign policy, the powers of the President and the relations with Bulgaria's allies.

Karakachanov said his three key priorities as President would be pursuing an independent foreign policy; combatting crime and high-level corruption and dealing with illegal migration. "We are against the settlement of illegal migrants on Bulgarian territory," he said.

Traikov said his priority would be the security of the nation, which to him encompasses education, health care, demographic policy and fighting poverty. "The national interests of Bulgaria should be placed above those of the allies and neighbours," he said arguing that Bulgaria needs a pro-active President.

Following are some of the highlights of the two candidates on the key issues of the debate, as seen by bTV:

Migrants

Karakachanov: Europe is unable to formulate a clear and firm policy on the migrant wave. Ms Merkel invited them here and now she is telling us that we must show solidarity and accept some of these migrants to settle on our territory. We have not invited these people - the German Chancellor did - and footing the bill is not a matter of solidarity but of standing up for the national interests.

Traikov: Bulgaria should be able to capitalize on the resources of its allies as it works to accomplish its goals. We built a fence with Turkey but when are we going to build a fence for the mafia? The people who traffic the migrants into Bulgaria, are the same who traffic drugs, prostitutes and contraband goods. The police catch migrants but no migrant traffickers have been caught. Contraband trade [is said to] have dwindled but no people responsible for such trade have been apprehended. The sole reason is the [inadequate] condition of the rule of law and the judicial system.

Karakachanov: Corruption is the key problem of the whole system, including security. If the security services, the Border Police and the State institutions are not undermined by corruption, the measures that could be mapped out, would have been much more effective.

Karakachanov: More units of the Armed Forces need to be sent to the border alongside the border police. Mixed patrols will minimize the risk of corruption.

Karakachanov: Use of force is admissible in pushing off the waves of illegal migrants.

Traikov: The border needs to be adequately protected, including by repressive measures. The bigger problem is that after the migrants arrive in Bulgaria, it takes years before they are granted any protection status. This is a result of a lacking capacity in the state institutions and the absence of the services. Are they capable of telling who is a terrorist, who is a migrant, who is an economic migrant?

The Armed Forces

Traikov: The Armed Forces are not in an enviable shape. They need modernization, increased financing and professionalization. Bulgarian skies are best to be protected by a Bulgarian multipurpose aircraft or an ally's under the Bulgarian command.

Karakachanov: The Armed Forces are in a deplorable condition. There are 5,100 unfilled vacancies for professional soldiers, wages are low, motivation is lacking, the armament is outdated. Military conscription must be reinstated.

Relations with Turkey

Traikov: I do not accept making concessions under pressure. Years ago, Bulgaria had to deliver on all its commitments to gain visa-free travel to the EU and now Turkey must do the same.

Turkey is a good neighbour of Bulgaria and it is in the best interest of this country to have easier relations but it does not mean turning a blind eye to the real problems.

Karakachanov: Turkey is not a good neighbour. Turkey interferes brutally in the internal affairs of Bulgaria.

The President's powers

Karakachanov: The powers of the President must be broadened in some areas. The President should have the right to legislative initiative - he is elected in a majoritarian vote. The notorious MP [Alexander Metodiev aka as] Bat Sali has a right to propose legislation even though he was elected by 300 votes and the President cannot do that. The President also should have a right to move for a parliamentary vote of confidence or no-confidence in the government.

Traikov: The President's powers are fine as they are and the head of State can be as strong and free as his qualities and skills allow.

The fuel cartel

Traikov: The companies which were found October 10 to have been engaged in a cartel agreement on the retail fuel market, now have 30 days to respond to the accusations which coincides with the end of the presidential campaign. A similar situation occurred in 2012: the companies responded to the cartel findings exactly 30 days later and the antitrust commission accepted their explanations as satisfactory. The commission could have fined them 500 million [leva]. Instead, it instructed them to stop publishing their wholesale prices on Internet.

Both candidates expect that the President will be elected at runoff elections.

Karakachanov said his main rivals are the candidates of ruling GERB and the opposition Bulgarian Socialist Party.

Traikov said all presidential candidates are "main opponents" because the President's seat is for one.

Traikov would not say that Bulgaria needs early general elections. He believes though that the government definitely needs improvements.

Karakachanov said that for the sake of national stability there should not be snap elections but the government must engage in "normal dialogue" and start to listen to what the others say.