site.btaDisabled Children's Mothers to Keep Protesting until Parliament Accepts Deputy PM Simeonov's Resignation

105 POLITICS - DEPUTY PM - RESIGNATION - REACTIONS Ampl

Disabled Children's Mothers
to Keep Protesting until Parliament
Accepts Deputy PM Simeonov's Resignation


Sofia, November 17 (BTA) - The protesting mothers of disabled children Saturday told a briefing that they will continue their protests until Parliament accepts the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Valeri Simeonov.

United Patriots Co-Chairman Simeonov tendered his resignation as Deputy Prime Minister in the GERB/United Patriots coalition Cabinet on Saturday evening, after 26 days of daily countrywide protests staged by disabled children's mothers and their supporters to press for his resignation. The protests were sparked by Simeonov' remarks on SKAT Television on October 16, in which he described them as "a group of loud-mouthed women who speculated with their children, manipulated the public, exhibiting allegedly sick children in scorching heat and heavy rain without a modicum of motherly feelings and care for them."

The protesting mothers told journalists that Simeonov's resignation is a step towards a new public understanding: that politicians have no right to mock people and if they do so, they should take responsibility for it.

Politicians, too, reacted to Simeonov's resignation on Saturday.

Volen Siderov, Floor Leader of the United Patriots, told a briefing that Simeonov's resignation had not been coordinated with him. According to Siderov, the resignation came too late against the backdrop of accumulated resentment resulting from Simeonov's stubborn clinging to power for such a long time.

Asked who will take Simeonov's place in the Cabinet, Siderov said there is no need of four prime ministers; if a fourth has to be appointed, he should be a technocrat rather than a party figure.

Kornelia Ninova, Floor Leader of the opposition BSP for Bulgaria, described Simeonov's resignation as a big victory for the protesting disabled children's mothers and the people who supported them. In her words, the resignation was obligatory, late, submitted under pressure, and insincere. It will not change anything because the situation has already changed - people are now protesting against high prices and low incomes, Ninova argued.

Mustafa Karadayi, Floor Leader of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms, commented on Facebook that Simeonov's resignation was obligatory and late. In his words, it will not change anything and will not solve the problems. "The situation in the country is alarming. Poverty and insecurity breed hate and aggression. It is time for agreement and will, for implementing a programme for the country's accelerated development," Karadayi says in his Facebook post.

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