site.btaPrime Minister Borissov Calls for Total Intolerance towards Corruption

Prime Minister Borissov Calls for Total Intolerance towards Corruption

Sofia, April 17 (BTA) - Prime Minister and GERB leader Boyko Borissov Sunday called for total intolerance towards all forms of corruption and said he would be uncompromising to everyone who misuses their power and position, regardless of whether they are members of GERB or not. Borissov was addressing a national working meeting of his party at Sofia's National Palace of Culture, attended by nearly 4,000 delegates from around the country: mayors and municipal councilors, members of municipal and regional leaderships, the party's regional coordinators, MPs, MEPs and ministers.

In Borissov's words, GERB can  be taken down only by GERB. He called on the party's members to act by the book and the law. "Every organization has to be crystal-clear in its fight against corruption," he also said. Around 3 billion leva are expected to be collected from the fight against smuggling this year, he noted. 

Addressing the forum, Borissov also talked about the forthcoming presidential elections. He described as illogical the moments in this type of elections where GERB nominates a candidate, pays for his/her campaign and then, once the candidate is elected, he/she has to delimit himself/herself from the party.

Talking about corruption, Borissov said that GERB's opponents are trying to erode the party's strength through daily scandals, such as the one about public procurement procedures, but GERB's biggest strength is its cleanness. "If I catch any of you [in corruption], there will be no mercy," he underscored. "There will also be no mercy for those assisting in corruption deals. I have prepared many surprises. I want to issue a warning: be very careful, because Bulgarians see, take into account, support or reject," he noted.

"I have never thought that a party as motivated as the Bulgarian Socialist Party can bring itself to a public trust of 10 to 12 per cent: this is where corruption brought them," Borissov said.

He also commented on the topic of refugees, the closure of the Balkan Route and the problems stemming from this.
 
Speaking at the meeting, Sofia Mayor Yordanka Fandakova recalled the big trust which GERB received at the last local elections, but noted that trust is fragile and easy to lose. Projects require publicity of decisions, she said. In her words, a politician who does not take unpopular measures is irresponsible.