site.btaUPDATED During Cabinet-formation Talks with Mandate-holder TISP, Vazrazhdane Leader Kostadinov Says His Party Cannot Work with GERB, MRF

During talks on Friday with the holder of the third government-forming mandate - There Is Such a People (TISP), Vazrazhdane Leader Kostadin Kostadinov said that his party cannot participate in a government, which has representatives of GERB-UDF and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) or is supported by these parliamentary groups. 

"You have the support of MRF without Peevski, we do not make a difference between DPS with Peevski or without Peevski. The founder of Peevski is still here, he has not withdrawn from Bulgarian politics," Kostadinov said and insisted that his parliamentary group cannot support a government backed by the MRF.

TISP and Vazrazhdane discussed key short-term governance priorities for over two hours. 

TISP Deputy Floor Leader Stanislav Balabanov described the meeting as “constructive” and said that both parties have unequivocal support for national referendums, anti-corruption legislation, 100% without Peevski, as well as for the priorities related to education, healthcare, energy.

Kostadinov noted the importance of a Cabinet without GERB-UDF and MRF and said that “the state is not in crisis, but the colonial regime is in crisis, the status quo is in crisis”.

TISP stressed the need for a professional discussion on the drafting of a new Penal Code, and issues related to the rules for the election of members of the Anti-Corruption Commission and the staffing of control bodies. Both parties highlighted their common support for holding referendums.

Regarding changes to the Civil Procedure Code, Vazrazhdane insisted on easier access of citizens to the court, as well as the complete abolition of the activity of private enforcement agents, but the keeping of state enforcement agents.

Kostadinov spoke out strongly in favour of abolishing the Prosecutor General position. TISP's Toshko Yordanov said that his party has an idea for direct election of the Prosecutor General.

TISP's Pavela Mitova said that the two political formations have broad support on the topic of energy, both want to renegotiate the Green Deal. "We believe that Bulgaria should defend its national policy and do everything possible to keep the Maritsa complex functioning," she added.

TISP's Andrey Chorbanov said that TISP and Vazrazhdane have a great overlap in many of their views.

TISP insist on tax breaks for working and studying parents, encouraging teachers to stay in smaller settlements, and Vazrazhdane want to bring back school meals in all state schools.

Dimitar Gardev, a diplomat and international relations expert from TISP, commented on the main difference between TISP and Vazrazhdane, namely their attitude towards NATO and the EU.

"The direction in which our party is moving in the EU is strictly conservative and is for immediate direct action to abolish the gender ideology that divides Bulgarian society at its very base - the family. That is why we need your support now," said Gardev.

Gardev noted that if there is a referendum on leaving NATO his party will vote against it.

The discussion also focused on the deployment of foreign military bases, the Republic of North Macedonia, the state budget and the state's tax policy.