site.btaDeputy PM Gabriel on Interior Minister Controversy: I Am GERB's Representative in Government

Deputy Prime Minister Mariya Gabriel underlined Tuesday that every minister in the current government was approved for the position by both her and Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov. Responding to a question related to Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) co-leader Kiril Petkov’s statement that Kalin Stoyanov was proposed for Interior Minister by GERB, she stated that she is the representative of this party in the current government.

Gabriel noted that on Tuesday she, Interior Minister Stoyanov and Denkov all united behind the stance that there should be zero tolerance for violence. The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that they share the opinion that the police officers who did their job well during the protests should be congratulated, but those who exceeded their powers should be held accountable.

So far, the Interior Ministry has shown "solid and convincing results" on the issue of Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen area, Gabriel underlined.

Stoyanov’s resignation was demanded by CC-DB following the escalation of the November 16 protest of football fans against the leadership of the Bulgarian Football Union, which led to clashes with the police and videos of police brutality emerged. Earlier on Tuesday, BSP also demanded Stoyanov’s resignation.