site.btaUPDATED BSP for Bulgaria, Vazrazhdane, TISP, Independent MP Vasilev Submit No-Confidence Motion against Denkov Cabinet over Defence Policy

BSP for Bulgaria, Vazrazhdane, There is Such a People and the only independent MP in this Parliament Radostin Vasilev submitted a motion for a vote of no-confidence in the government over its defence policy, BSP for Bulgaria Deputy Chair Atanas Zafirov said here on Wednesday.

“We chose this topic because it most vividly illustrates the inability of this government to respond adequately to the challenges facing the country,” he explained. Zafirov added that geopolitical crises of all kinds were on the rise and the government contributes to these crises affecting Bulgaria directly, instead of providing stability and calm.

He argued that one of the main priorities the cabinet has set itself – Bulgaria’s accession into Schengen, is just as far away as it was at the very beginning of the government's formation. Zafirov added that none of the measures that were promised to ensure border security have been implemented.

"The personnel weakness of the Bulgarian Armed Forces continues. Yesterday, [November 7] the Defence Minister admitted that this year the intake of cadets at the military university is, unfortunately, one-third of the needed amount, and in the end those who will graduate can fill only 22% of the needs of the Bulgarian Armed Forces, which shows a systemic personnel shortage, which is getting worse instead of better," Zafirov pointed out.

He also showed a Council of Ministers’ decision to sign a contract for the acquisition of Stryker combat vehicles. “This decision, prior to the decision of the National Assembly, is contrary to the legal framework adopted in 2018 by Parliament, which says that the amount paid should be BGN 1.45 billion. The decision they have taken is for BGN 2.2 billion and if it is appealed, it will fall because it is not in compliance with the law,“ Zafirov stated.

Vazrazhdane MP Tsoncho Ganev also commented the allegedly increased price, saying that “we are witnessing a new episode of how another Bulgarian government is buying itself off in order to continue ruling”.