site.btaUPDATED MRF Deputies Loyal to Honorary Chair Dogan Say Caretaker PM "Shows Signs of Dependence" on Delyan Peevski

MPs of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) who have remained loyal to the party's founder and Honorary Chair Ahmed Dogan, said Thursday that caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev is showing "obvious signs of dependence on" Delyan Peevski and has joined his side in the rift at MRF. At a news briefing in Parliament by Timur Halilov MP said that "the decision to replace the regional governors of Kardzhali, Resmi Murad, and of Smolyan, Rumen Pehlivanov, less than a month after they were appointed speaks of exactly that - a personal vendetta, not statesmanship".

Resmi Murad and Rumen Pehlivanov declared their allegiance with Dogan after getting appointed as regional governors. Then the caretaker government removed them on July 24.

"This move by Glavchev leaves deep doubts in society how independent the caretaker cabinet is and who dictates what changes to make. We also ask who is giving you the orders for the regional governors, are these dismissals related to the party positions of Murad and Pehlivanov, who firmly stood behind the honorary chairman of MRF, Ahmed Dogan. We would like to call on the media and institutions in these difficult political times for Bulgaria, when we see how power is being abused for personal interests and revenge, not to remain silent," Timur Halilov said. 

He said that the deputy regional governor of Pleven, Milen Dimitrov, has also been dismissed. The information was later confirmed for BTA by Pleven Regional Governor Nikolay Abrashev.

Timur Halilov's remark about Glavchev being dependent on Peevski drew a comment from Assen Vassilev of Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria, who regularly trades barbs with Peevski. "I am glad their eyes opened to the truth three months later," said Vassilev. "Delyan Peevski is a thing of the past," he also said.

Peevski and a 22-strong circle of MPs around him have been in an open feud with Ahmed Dogan since July 11. Dogan's camp in Parliament has since grown bigger than Peevski's even though the Dogan deputies have formally been expelled from the MRF group. Each party claims ownership of the MRF brand and a resolution is not in sight.