SPEECHES AND STATEMENTS

Statement made by President Rosen Plevneliev regarding the resignation of the Republic of Bulgaria’s government approved by the National Assembly and the internal political situation in the country

Dear compatriots,

The government is going, but the outstanding problems remain.  These problems range from the people’s protests against the high electricity bills and monopolies to demands for amendments of the constitution. The people must know that Bulgaria’s constitution is no hindrance to eliminating the monopolies. The electricity bills do not depend on the constitution either, but on wrong decisions made in the economic sector. Once everywhere else in the EU people have the right to a free choice of an electricity supplier and market, not monopoly prices are introduced, this can happen in Bulgaria, too.  The measures against the monopolies are entirely up to the National Assembly and the government, not the constitution.  Only a legitimate government, one elected by the people, can take measures to secure a real increase of incomes, can pursue an active policy to fight poverty and eliminate the monopolies. If the political parties return the mandate, early elections should be scheduled for the earliest possible date. This is the only solution that is both fair and responsible as far as citizens are concerned.

In a situation of crisis the parties and politicians are those that should display a statesmanlike attitude.  What is most important now is not to endanger civil peace, the law-governed state and the democratic value. No one will benefit from this, all of us will lose, so will our children. The political parties should call publicly on their supporters to avoid provocations, to observe the public order.  Let us all do our best to ease the tension, not mount it. We are a peaceful and tolerant people – let us all prove that this is so by acting in the appropriate manner!

I insist that the political parties in the current National Assembly should not relinquish their responsibility to citizens and should remain in Parliament until completion of the consultations and the procedure provided for in the Constitution. I am aware that the current National Assembly has lost its public support to a great extent. However at times of difficulties we should obey the laws, keep a sober state of mind and seek ways leading us to a change for the better, not to aggravating the crisis.

The so far expressed positions by the parliamentary presented parties are that they are unwilling to have a new government formed within the current National Assembly.  However, we need a working Parliament. The caretaker government will function without a National Assembly and whatever needs legislative initiatives to be fulfilled, cannot be done. The dissolution of the National Assembly implies postponement of addressing a large part of the problems that brought Bulgarian people into the streets.  

I would like to say it loud and unambiguously – the caretaker government cannot carry out the radical changes because its term in office is narrowly limited in time and scope and most importantly – it cannot amend laws.

If all possibilities are really exhausted and the Bulgarian political elite cannot concur and cannot assume responsibility considering the current situation, I will promptly and responsibly fulfill my constitutional obligation for the formation of a caretaker government. Bulgaria needs stability, it needs functioning institutions with a clear mandate.

The tasks I will entrust the caretaker government with will be announced in advance. The most important one among them is to guarantee the conduct of the upcoming general election in a democratic way. I take on the commitment to form a Public Council at the caretaker government including legitimate representatives of the protesting citizens, labor unions, employers and other civil organizations.  Together we will set the agenda of the caretaker government’s work and that of the state in this severe political and social crisis which we are facing.

I do believe in the legal order and will defend it with my actions. This is my answer to the question what I will be doing from now on – what is stipulated in the constitution. I have sworn an oath in this constitution as President, that is why the Bulgarian citizens have placed their trust in me, so that the laws are obeyed. Therefore I will act promptly and will observe the law. As early as tomorrow I will start consultations with the parliamentary groups. All of us together, not separately, lest there be the slightest doubt about secret coalitions being agreed at in the President’s Office. I will openly speak with the party leaders – what should urgently be done in the state and in Parliament before it is dissolved, if it comes to that. We will debate whether the limit of the current National Assembly has been exhausted and whether people still trust it.

On Monday I will mandate GERB to form a cabinet. If they decline, the mandate will pass promptly to the second and the third. I will do this quickly and clearly and will not delay the process. There will be no horse-trading, I will work for a clear and effective process – this serves the citizens’ interests and the stability of the state.

Today, under the conditions of a severe world crisis, which has been going on for five years already, the state’s stability is of key importance. In my opinion the government’s responsible position should have been to complete its term in office. This was also the prime minister’s position expressed two days ago. Yesterday I was surprised as well when the government suddenly tendered its resignation. A couple of days ago I publicly called on the cabinet and the parties to stop raising slogans and to offer concrete solutions for cutting the citizens’ electricity bills against which they protest, against the monopolies and for increasing the transparency and efficiency in the energy sector. I said that the President does not have the powers to fix the electricity prices and to control them and I took on the commitment to make sure that the people’s demands are heard and that the institutions should fulfill their tasks by addressing their problems.  I expected that a debate will be held in parliament and I appealed for that.  No such debate was held, only the raised slogans multiplied.   

Today different people appeal for the convocation of a Grand National Assembly. An ill-prepared decision on this can cause an even greater economic and political crisis and plunge the country into chaos. I am against making hasty decisions – a popular saying goes: measure twice and cut once! As president I appeal to all of you – to the political forces and to the citizens – this is our state and we should not doom it to suffering from ill-prepared and hasty decisions. The convocation of a Grand National Assembly must be carefully prepared and the changes in the state governance that are sought and the way they are to be achieved must be crystal clear. A broad public consensus on these changes should be reached in advance.

No one should jeopardize democracy, the law-governed state and clear rules. We should act with common sense and responsibility, without unnecessary emotions. There is nothing dangerous if a government is toppled – Belgium recently had no government for two years. The difference between us and them is in the institutions – their institutions function no matter who is or is not in power. Let us show our respect to the Bulgarian institutions and laws today. Although they are by no means perfect, they will help us pass through the turbulence before a new, legitimate, government is elected, a government appointed by the people.

Thank you!