site.btaDecision on Early Elections or Government Reshuffle Is Up to There Is Such a People, Velichie leader Mihaylov Says

The decision on whether Bulgaria will head to elections or see its government reshaped rests entirely with There Is Such a People (TISP), Velichie leader Ivelin Mihaylov said on Saturday. He said that forming a new cabinet or calling fresh elections will depend on the position of TISP and its leader, Slavi Trifonov.

“The decision on whether we go to elections or see a government reshuffle is entirely in the hands of There Is Such a People (TISP) and Slavi Trifonov,” Mihaylov said in a television interview

He said that responsibility for reformatting the government remains with TISP, as all other parties: GERB-UDF, Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), and Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) – New Beginning, have already signalled their agreement, with BSP described as having completely humiliated itself.

Mihaylov noted that only TISP has unequivocally ruled out governing with MRF, calling this a “firm red line.” He said that if MRF is perceived as influencing government policy, TISP would immediately withdraw from the cabinet. According to him, if Trifonov now chooses to keep TISP in government, it would support claims that his relationships with Boyko Borissov and Delyan Peevski previously undermined the cabinet.

When asked about the eight Velichie MPs who registered for Thursday’s National Assembly session, triggering a strong response from Mihaylov, he clarified that he was not upset with them. His reaction was motivated by commitments to voters. Mihaylov said the deputies had apologized, which he viewed as a demonstration of ethical conduct within the National Assembly. He attributed the registration to a miscommunication, explaining that Velichie MPs believed their participation would challenge the ruling parties due to actions by other opposition groups such as MECh and Continue the Change (CC).

Addressing the anticipated debate over the National Assembly Chair position, Mihaylov said Velichie’s parliamentary group opposes replacing Nataliya Kiselova with a nominee from GERB-UDF or MRF, arguing this would further consolidate their control. “If she is replaced with someone from the opposition, then we will support her replacement, but if it’s someone from GERB-UDF or MRF, of course we prefer Nataliya Kiselova,” Mihaylov added.

He said that Vazrazhdane and MECh have consistently advocated for a change in the Assembly chair, but their representatives tend to act impulsively and lack coherent policy direction. He likened some of their tactics to those of Peevski, who, according to Mihaylov, introduced bills in Parliament merely in response to personal grievances with the President. Mihaylov stated that such conduct would be inappropriate even in local government and is unacceptable in the National Assembly. He argued that MRF legislative proposals are of poor quality and are justified only by the reasoning, “Let [President] Rumen [Radev] pursue his [political] project.”

“Boyko Borissov and Delyan Peevski do minimal work yet still receive salaries, vehicles, and various privileges. Individuals like them should not be in a position to hold accountable those who are genuinely working. Both Borissov and Peevski are involved in party initiatives, while publicly accusing Rumen Radev of having a similar agenda. Such conduct is unprofessional and prevents Parliament from functioning properly,” Mihaylov added.