site.btaPM Zhelyazkov in Parliament: Government Will Remain Intolerant of All Corruption

The government will remain intolerant of all corruption, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said in Parliament on Friday in response to a question from Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria MP Lena Borislavova about the numerous recent cases of corruption. Borislavova criticized Zhelyazkov for the lack of any reaction to the scandals.

Borislavova asked why Vladimir Malinov continues to be in the leadership of the natural gas transmission and storage system operator Bulgartransgaz, which she stated violates the Counter-Corruption Act, since he was a caretaker minister and has been indicted. She also referred to the case of a cigarette smuggling ring that was busted in Plovdiv despite alleged efforts from senior police officials to stop that.

Zhelyazkov's response was: "In the rhetoric of the question, I saw assertions rather than inquiry. Today's form of parliamentary scrutiny is about the business of the Government, not the Prime Minister. Ask a specific question on a specific case, and I will answer. I will not avoid answering."

Referring to Borislavova's question about Bulgartransgaz, he said: "Long story short, no harm has been identified around the Chiren gas storage facility, because no payments have been made. To the extent that there are preparations made, that is the subject of the investigation. That is not the business of the government."

Regarding the smuggling case, Zhelyazkov said that enough information has been put forward. Information that so far has not been released is either classified or part of an ongoing investigation, which is why only the prosecution service can decide whether it can be revealed.