site.bta President Calls on Politicians to Work for Stability and Reforms in 2016

President Calls on Politicians to Work for Stability and Reforms in 2016

Sofia, December 19 (BTA) - Speaking on the Panorama political talk show of Bulgarian National Television on Friday evening, President Rosen Plevneliev urged politicians to work for stability and reforms in 2016. He said the coming year is crucial, particularly as regards the reforms in healthcare and the judicial system.

"There can be no reforms without stability. And without reforms, the stability will be so fragile that it will be as good as none," he said.

The biggest crisis, according to him, is that the public has no confidence in politicians and government institutions, which makes every political resignation look like a crisis. To address the situation, the members of Parliament must keep their word.

"It would be good if the Constitution was implemented the way it had been signed," Plevneliev said.

According to the President, the historic compromise can become a historic success next year, provided that a non-partisan approach is adopted. The fact that 94 per cent of Bulgarians feel the judicial system produces no justice must be changed, he urged.

He noted that the career development of magistrates should be linked to their qualities and performance, and lawsuits should be handled quickly.

Though not perfect, the final version of the recent Constitutional changes was a step forward, the President said. On a positive note, the Supreme Judicial Council was divided into two colleges, the role of its Inspectorate was enhanced, and secret voting in the Council was abolished, he said.

Plevneliev expressed his surprise at the position of some Reformist Bloc members. "If we are reformers, we must stay that way till the end, and when we are dissatisfied, we must fight till the end. It is possible to speed up the judicial reform in Bulgaria in 2016," he summed up.

Plevneliev said his big goal in 2016 will be to carry on with the implementation of the National Development Programme 2020. "The people should not believe those pessimists who say that we have no plan and no direction, that we do not know where we are heading. We have this programme and it is my dream to see it implemented by 2020," the President said.