SPEECHES AND STATEMENTS

Statement made by President Rosen Plevneliev on the Occasion of the Elections for Members of the European Parliament from the Republic of Bulgaria

Regarding the elections for European Parliament that were held on 25 May, I would like to thank all citizens who exercised their constitutional right to vote. The most important result of these elections is that the Bulgarian people reconfirmed their pro-European orientation. Everyone who relied on the pro-European rhetoric was highly assessed by the people. Once again the Bulgarian citizens showed that the nation is divided only in the imagination of some political leaders. The Bulgarian people are united in their attitude to the country’s geopolitical orientation and also in respect of the system of values we belong to and which the European Union is a symbol of. The newly-elected Bulgarian MEPs were supported by the citizens so that they can work to ensure a more visible participation of Bulgaria in defining the European agenda. This is what the Bulgarian citizens entrusted them with at the recently held elections. The Bulgarian people said “No” to Euroskepticism and the anti-European rhetoric. The Bulgarian people and voter said “Yes” to European integration and placed extra trust on our common European project. Bulgaria is among the few member states which will not send anti-Europeans to the European Parliament.

As for the voter turnout, it is clear that this issue is a real challenge to the Bulgarian politicians – whether we will be able to motivate more Bulgarian citizens to voice their will, no matter what they are voting for. I am not content with the thesis that the voter turnout is usually low and that fewer people vote at elections for European Parliament. Unfortunately, the political situation in the country in the past year as well as the quality of the debate in the past month have had a negative impact on the voter turnout.

Against this background, the position of the majority in the National Assembly and the fact that for five months they have been refusing to debate the proposal I made for conducting a referendum on the election system, is even more incomprehensible. This is a way we can convince the Bulgarian citizens that they are the ones who define the rules. This is the way we can stimulate not only the young people, but also those two million of our compatriots who live abroad to express their opinion on the events unfolding in the country by taking part in the political process.

For the first time we have seen a large number of people who marked their preference for individual candidates on the ballots. This proves that the citizens are willing to have an election system with an increasingly stronger majority-vote element.  This fact should not simply be bypassed or noted, but should become the basis of a long-term and lasting change of the system. The large-scale preferential voting at the recently held elections is yet another clear proof that the Bulgarian people have the right to be asked what they think at a referendum and to voice their opinion on whether the majority-vote element should be stronger at future elections.

What worries me is that vote-buying, corporate voting and other forms of vote control are still among the topics accompanying any elections. The institutions must show that the state is capable of opposing these ugly phenomena which jeopardize the very foundations of democracy. I expect prompt and public results regarding all established cases of abuse of the voters’ rights. A form must be found whereby not only the concrete doers, but also the political entities should be held responsible for such acts. Taking legislative measures, the criminalization of this crime and even imposing stricter sanctions do not produce the expected result. An efficient and long-term solution in this respect is to considerably increase the voter turnout and thus devalue controlled voting.

The elections for European Parliament held on Sunday also have their domestic political dimension. Everyone should make their analysis and hear what the voters told them. As President I strictly observe the constitution and will not comment the impact the results of the elections for European Parliament would have on the executive branch of power since this is beyond the constitutional powers of the Head of State. The political parties represented in Parliament have assumed a great responsibility. The future of the government is to be decided by Parliament and the political parties in it, not by the President. In the past 2013 I showed that I can bear my constitutional responsibilities, moreover in a situation of crisis and an unpredictable environment of large-scale protests. I will continue to perform my constitutional duties, to hear the voice of the people and support the civil society in its just demands. The President’s Office is not going to cook coalitions, “3-5-8” formulas or whatever formats. I have no intention to overstep my constitutional powers. Talks - yes, consultations – yes. But do not expect of me to be an intermediary or a political broker.

What is most important for the state today is that there is stability and functioning institutions. I am always ready to work and take part in finding a solution. Unfortunately, for a second year in a row we have been witnessing increased instability, a combination of crises and a low public trust in the institutions. I call on the power holders to make their analyses and hear what the voters told them on Sunday. Because now it is totally up to the power holders whether Bulgaria will continue to generate crises or find a nationally responsible solution for more stability and prospects for a stable improvement of the political and economic environment in Bulgaria.

At the recently held elections the Bulgarian citizens categorically reconfirmed their European civilization choice and system of values. They yet again proved that they support the European project for democracy, rule of law and human freedoms. The people expect that the Bulgarian political elite will live up to their responsibility and ensure more stability in the state, economic and democratic prospects and listen to the citizens’ opinions, not be involved in cloak-and-dagger arrangements, a spirit of revenge or ruling at any cost.

Thank you!