site.btaBulgarian Socialist Party Holds 50th Congress

September 26 (BTA) - The Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP)
opened Saturday its 50th Congress, taking place at Sofia's
National Palace of Culture over the weekend. A total of 793
delegates registered as present at the forum, out of the 976
elected delegates.

In her political report to the congress, BSP leader Kornelia
Ninova, who was recently re-elected to the post in the first
direct elections in the party's history, said that she will work
 to make the BSP the top political force in Bulgaria. Ninova
reported on BSP's achievements in the past four years. She said
that socialists' parliamentary group translated the party's
programme into real legislative actions, worked very actively
and deserves the high mark of the congress and of the BSP.

Ninova said that "in the past four years Bulgaria has been
governed by a new coalition, which officially constitutes GERB
and the United Patriots, but in reality enjoys the unofficial
support of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms and of the
obsequious Volya party".

In Ninova's words, at the moment only the BSP is ready with a
full alternative plan for governing Bulgaria. "We can claim that
 we are authentic carriers of change," she said. The BSP leader
noted that the party does not want to "ride the wave" of the
ongoing anti-government protest rallies but supports them.

She reiterated her view that the incumbent Parliament has
exhausted itself and is unable to guarantee the stability of the
 State.

Ninova said that Bulgaria is in a deep political and
institutional crisis, and a crisis of confidence of the people
in governance. Furthermore, this country is on the brink of a
horrific economic and social crisis, she said.

The BSP's goal is to provide stability, ensure security and
peace of mind to the Bulgarians, to give them prospects to
create a country governed by the rule of law, a democratic and
social Bulgaria. Ninova said that the steps towards this goal
are reaching out to all left-minded, progressive, non-partisan,
and honest Bulgarians who love their country, creating a broad
front of like-minded people who want change, and elections that
are going to be a landslide victory for the BSP.

The congress continues its worl with reports from the BSP
National Council and the BSP for Bulgaria Parliamentary Group, a
 report from the BSP Members of the European Parliament, and a
report of the BSP Control Commission. A BSP National Council and
 chairperson and members of the Control Commission will be
elected.

The delegates will consider a Resolution against the Resurgence
of Neo-fascism and Neo-Nazism in Europe and a Policy Declaration
 on BSP Development and Policy Priorities. RY/ZH

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