site.btaMRF Floor Leader Peevski Denounces Central Election Commission's Decision

Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) Floor Leader Delyan Peevski characterized as "criminal" the decision of the Central Election Commission (CEC), which requires the two coalitions formed by the party's warring factions to provide documents proving MRF is not part of them. Speaking to journalists in the corridors of parliament on Thursday, he said his faction of MRF would not comply with the CEC instructions.

On September 11, it will become clear what parties and coalitions, among them the two MRF coalitions, are registered for the October 27 snap parliamentary elections. If any of the MRF coalitions is unhappy with the CEC decision, they have three days to contest it before the Supreme Administrative Court.

On the first day of registration, CEC accepted the papers from both factions' coalitions - Democracy, Rights and Freedoms (DRF) [the Bulgarian abbreviation is the same as that of MRF] which includes the MRF wing behind Honorary Chair Ahmed Dogan, and MRF - New Beginning, the one behind Peevski.

"We adhere to the law and will await the decision", Peevski said. He further asserted that CEC is compromised, alleging that it serves the interests of derebeys [from Turkish - feudal lords] and foreign powers.

Peevski described CEC's decision as "absolutely illegal". Peevski described CEC Chair Kameliya Neykova as a "deputy chair of one of the parties in coalition with the derebeys". According to the Apis legal and business information platform, in 2012, Neykova was appointed deputy chair of the then newly formed New Alternative party. In 2022, New Alternative was renamed to Just Bulgaria United Patriots (SBOR) which does not feature Neykova among its ranks. SBOR is now part of Dogan's DRF coalition. 

"Her interests are clear", he argued. Peevski assured that there will be a MRF – New Beginning, "no matter how difficult it is for all the oligarchs, mafia thieves in Bulgaria, and Moscow and Putin."

"The CEC Chair is personally involved through a very close associate, and she has an interesting close connection with France", Peevski said about Neykova. "They have warm French relations", he added.

Regarding the intention of Yes, Bulgaria to ask acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov to lift his immunity due to a report filed by Bulgarian fugitive banker Tsvetan Vassilev, Peevski said this originated "from their own Prosecutor General". He also added: "Tsvetan Vassilev is an agent of Moscow and Russia, who is hiding in Serbia under Moscow's protection". Peevski believes Russia is doing everything it can to take over Bulgaria. "I see my colleagues passively witnessing the establishment of a presidential republic, which will ultimately lead to dire consequences for Bulgaria. However, I will prevent this", he said.

He said that he would provide evidence proving that he has no outstanding debts to any financial institution. "I do not owe a single penny to any banks; these accusations are lies," Peevski said.