President Parvanov Threatens Majority with Referendum on Majority Voting

President Georgi Parvanov warned the ruling that if the National Assembly does not change the election laws in a manner to include a majority election element for electing ¼ of the MPs, he would call a referendum. He stated firmly that if the parliament does not change the Constitution, he would conform with nobody’s wish for 2-in-1 elections, although he champions the idea, because this would mean breaking the first law, and he might face impeachment menace. This became clear after an extensive almost one hour interview of the head-of-state in the Panorama political magazine show of the Bulgarian National Television (BNT) hosted by journalist Boyko Vassilev.

Parvanov, though,
discontinued insisting on his idea
for reopening of blocks 3 and 4 of the Kozlodui NPP and avoided answering the question would he call a referendum on this issue too. His argument was that currently no national consensus has been reached on this theme even within the ruling coalition. The president advised the government to clear out the positions of the three parties in power before he addresses his request for restarting the two closed nuclear reactors to Brussels. The term of validity of the clause from Bulgaria’s agreement with the European Union Parvanov quoted when he requested the reopening of the blocks, expires at end-2009, and the Stanishev cabinet mandate – in July.

The President pointed out he plays an important role for securing additional energy sources for Bulgaria and its energy independence, saying there was no other head-of-state working so actively on the Nabucco project by visiting Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Egypt.

President Parvanov stated he takes over the responsibility before Russia for the establishment of US military bases in Bulgaria. And rejected the allegations that by visiting Russia he has placed Bulgaria under the suspicion of our Western partners that he champions Russian interests, saying “Should the US, for example,  be worried how we consider their active contacts with Russia?”

 

The head-of-state
spared his rapture over the European Commission assessments
on Bulgaria’s government activities reflected in its intermediate report published on February 12. Not falling into details, he pointed out as a good example of combating corruption the dismissal head of the National Revenue Agency (NRA) Maria Mourguina and interpreted the recent scandal as readiness of the ruling to sacrifice anyone, notwithstanding hierarchy positions. In his words, that case gave him reasons to express “very cautious and very moderate optimism”.

Parvanov, though, did not spare mentioning his insult of the fact the cabinet and the ruling majority have not delivered on his proposal for election legislation amendments voiced in his January address to the nation last year, though he had been assured such would be made by November 2008. And insisted on observing at least the requirements in EC’s latest report regarding the Law on the Conflict of Interests, and finally adopting it.

The President spoke
harshly and in reproof about Boyko Borissov’s statements
before the Bulgarian community in Chicago last week, which stir up spirits in Bulgaria. Parvanov stated the criticism of the Sofia Mayor and informal leader of the Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (CEDB) party in his statements against different ethnic communities in Bulgaria and about Macedonia create tensions and cannot express any official state position. “One should not talk like this”, the President snapped, and explained that such pronouncements were a reference to the aggressive past of Bulgarian politics from 20 years ago, when hatred and confrontation reigned, and are now showing a “new outburst”.

Meanwhile the president complained that politicians, analysts, and the media alike have shown ignorance to his strategy for Bulgaria’s development by 2015-2010, drafted by an expert team and presented publicly two years ago. And evoked elections are a good reason for bringing such fundamental ideas to the fore. His words corresponded to another suggestion from his statements for the BNT: that discrediting all parties and leadership deficit will inevitably lead to the emergence of other political characters.
 
The only minister who was indirectly praised
by President Parvanov, was Emilia Maslarova. The head-of-state pointed out the social minister as an example for good handling of problems after the scandalous revelations in the orphanage for disadvantaged children in the village of Mogilino.
President Georgi Parvanov chose BNT to announce his positions on the most current issues in Bulgaria’s political situation after severe criticism over appearing “without a tie” on private TVs (bTV’s morning block) to comment important state problems. Anchor Boyko Vassilev did not miss the opportunity to point out with some relief that the head-of-state has finally chosen the state-owned national television for reporting the results of his visit to Russia and take a stand on the forthcoming general elections.