site.btaParties React to President Plevneliev's Parliamentary Address

Parties React  to President Plevneliev's Parliamentary Address

Sofia, March 18 (BTA) - The political parties in Parliament on Friday reacted to an address by President Rosen Plevneliev following his month of political consultations.

BSP-Left Bulgaria

Deputy National Assembly Chair Yanaki Stoilov said that people should be aware that Bulgaria is a parliamentary republic and that lack of understanding of the nature of the state system and attempts to resolve problems in an authoriatatian-manupilative manner won't lead to consensus. He added that BSP-Left Bulgaria can't be part of such a false consensus. Stoilov said that economic issues should be raised before the prime minister and that the president cannot solve them.

Stoilov said that the group of BSP-Left Bulgaria left the plenary hall after Plevneliev's address not as a sign of disrespect for the President but to protest after the parliamentary majority voted down a proposal to broadcast the statements of the parliamentary groups on national television and radio as well.

Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF)

MRF co-floor chair Mustafa Karadyi said that the country needs responsible politics and responsible politicians in the name of stability, security and peace in the face of the global, European and regional geopolitical processes.

Karadyi said that the principal issues are education and means of livelihood. He said that enough efforts should be made to develop small, middle and family business. "We should support family farms and firms and develop mountainous and semi-mountainous regions as well as Northwestern Bulgaria."

GERB

GERB Floor leader Tsvetan Tsvetanov said that all political parties which took part in the political consultations had judged on their merits of the issues that were raised. Tsvetanov said that the public is more interested in whether there are statesmen who can implement national politics than in personal fights. As an example of political consensus he cited changes to the Constitution related to the judicial reform.

Patriotic Front

Deputy National Assembly Chair Krassimir Karakachanov said Bulgaria's future depends on a clear concept to solve the demographic crisis. He said that there should be a political consensus on a few priorities which should not be changed according to the circumstances. "Bulgaria should not vascillate between Brussels, Moscow and Washington but we should know that the Bulgarian politics is made in Sofia, in this hall, and is implemented by the institutions in the interest of the Bulgarian people," said Karakachanov. According to him, Bulgaria should keep its commitments to NATO and the EU but they should be used as tools to protect Bulgaria's interests.

ABV

Mariana Todorova, spokesperson of ABV's parliamentary group, said that the global challenges need a long-term planning, calling for Bulgaria 2050 strategy.

She said that ABV attaches priority to consensus and unity and only the head of state can initiate consensus decisions. ABV hailed Plevneliev decision to convene the Consultative Council on National Security to discuss the demographic crisis.

Todorova said that ABV expected to hear a much clearer and categorical position whether the President will initiate a referendum, how to make the presidential veto harder to overthrow and on possible constitutional changes in connection with the presidential elections.

Bulgarian Democratic Centre (BDC)

Rosen Petrov said that more than ever Bulgaria needs national unity in view of the complex international situation. He said that the national ideal today is for people to live better lives, have enough to eat and have a real civil society. He said that BDC will continue to support the stability of the government as a constructive opposition.

Ataka

The parliamentary group of Ataka refused to make a statement in a protest against the refusal of the parliamentary majority for statements to be broadcast on national television and radio.