site.bta President Plevneliev: "I Have Never Been Part of Backstage Political Arrangements"

President Plevneliev: "I Have Never Been Part of Backstage Political Arrangements"

Blagoevgrad, Southwestern Bulgaria, October 25 (BTA) - "I am not part of backstage political arrangements and I have never been," Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev told journalists here on Tuesday, where he unveiled Europe's first Teach for All Global Conference. The head of State was reacting to a statement by Prime Minister Boyko Borissov that he had been among the ministers named by the Capital circle associated with Ivo Prokopiev.

Plevneliev said he entered politics because he wanted to help Bulgaria. "I have shown that I am independent and guided by my conscience," he said.

"The Prime Minister should remember that in 2008 I was named investor of the year and was among the top Bulgarian managers. I was serving on the board of directors of AmCham, AHK, the Confederation of Employers and Industrialists in Bulgaria. I was among the engines of many conferences in 2009 looking for a way out at the height of the economic crisis. I got involved in politics because the government of the three party coalition at the time did not offer solutions. The Prime Minister should recall that I was part of GERB's team of economic experts in 2009 when we exchanged hundreds of e-mails (that I still keep) with Vladislav Goranov and Simeon Djankov," said the head of State.

The President said that the debate should not be dumbed down to talks and arrangements. "I have never been part of these arrangements and I am not interested," he said. "If I had been named by somebody, then I would have been dependent and that would have shown at least when I formed the two caretaker cabinets," said Plevneliev. He added that the cabinets had been formed following endless debates about who are the right people for the job so they can help the country at a difficult time. "I stand by each minister in the two cabinets and my conscience is clear," said the President.

Plevneliev said that Borissov's messages were not personal. "He is known to easily change his mind and probably we'll hear something else next time. For me it's more important that at the height of the election campaign the public won't hear what is essential - what the presidential candidates plan to do in the next five years, what are Bulgaria's challenges and how they are going to solve them so that people can make their choice."

Plevneliev said that he was following very closely the election debates, adding that he was not optimistic. He called on the political leaders to use the remaining time and have a meaningful debate on the problems of Bulgaria, Europe and the world and their solutions.

The President said he would report to the Bulgarian public about each of his actions and decisions by the end of his term. "I have proof so people will hear the truth from their president and not hints dropped by someone in an interview," he said.