site.btaUPDATED Zhelyazkov Cabinet Will Survive No-Confidence Vote, Velichie Floor Leader Says

Velichie Floor Leader Ivelin Mihaylov Wednesday said that the Zhelyazkov Cabinet will survive the upcoming vote of no confidence. "Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria have decided to take no action, and [Movement for Rights and Freedoms – New Beginning leader] Delyan Peevski has shown that he firmly supports this government," Mihaylov said, speaking to reporters in Parliament. 

The motion of no confidence was submitted by the Morality, Unity, Honour (MECh) Parliamentary Group on April 10 over corruption and is backed by Vazrazhdane and Velichie.

Mihaylov added that it would become clear who truly supports the cordon sanitaire around Peevski after Democracy, Rights and Freedoms – DRF quit the ruling majority on Tuesday. 

"We will see who votes in favour of the no-confidence motion and who does not. Then everyone can draw their own conclusions about who stands with Peevski and who does not. Because, in reality, Peevski is the person behind this government," Mihaylov said. 

During a debate on the no-confidence motion in Parliament later in the day, Mihaylov said that Velichie will support the motion, describing it as well-timed. 

He added that one of the most troubling developments under the current government is the growing number of people wanting to leave Bulgaria for lack of legal certainty and trust in the justice system. "There is zero compliance with the law in Bulgaria," Mihaylov said, adding that "the real criminals are the vote buyers who may help the government secure a majority in future votes."

The Velichie Floor Leader said there were reports about "corruption schemes related to the procurement of children's food and the repair of irrigation canals".

He alleged that a supplier under the School Milk Scheme had told him that he was buying apples and reselling them to schools at quadruple the actual price. He said that the main suppliers were allegedly linked to a company close to GERB. BGN 300 million was spent under this scheme over two years, of which BGN 200 million represented markups, he added.

Fruit, vegetables, milk, and milk products are provided free of charge to children in kindergartens, schools, and special educational support centres under two EU-supported schemes: the School Milk Scheme and the School Fruit Scheme. These schemes are co-financed by the European Union and the Bulgarian national budget.

Mihaylov commented that this example is only a small part of the larger corruption problem in Bulgaria. "With this kind of spending of public funds, Bulgaria will cease to exist in a couple of years' time . That is why it is crucial to end this government,” Mihaylov said.