Political Pantomime: The Never-ending Search for a Speaker
Ah, gather ’round folks! It appears we have a gripping episode unfolding, not in a soap opera, but in the grand theater of national politics! Our plot: the Bulgarian Parliament, a place where political aspirations go to die—or at least take an extended holiday. Five attempts to elect a president, and what do we have? The MPs have decided to kick the can down the road until Friday, because, you know, who doesn’t love a prolonged “what if?” scenario?
In the red corner, we have GERB, brandishing the title of the “first political force” like they just found a discarded trophy in the attic. And in the blue corner, “We continue the change-Democratic Bulgaria” (PP-DB), who refuse to give any air time to GERB’s Raya Nazaryan. Why? Because they’re not interested in forming a majority with characters who didn’t shake on their “sanitary cordon” around Delyan Peevski and the “DPS-New Beginning” crew. It’s like trying to play dodgeball while refusing to sit next to the kid who always throws the ball at your face!
The Battle of Silvi Kirilov
Now, the plot thickens! The ITN party stepped into the ring, proposing Silvi Kirilov as the temporary incumbent, hoping to keep the legislative wheels spinning—this while the rest of the parliamentary folk are still busy pulling each other’s hair. Surprise, surprise! The PP-DB decided they’d rather support Kirilov, until various factions exploded in disagreement and our dear Silvi found himself in hot water with the “Vazrazhdane” camp lurking about like a bad smell at a five-star hotel.
Just imagine the chaos! “Vazrazhdane” throwing their hat in the ring for Kirilov only made the PP-DB squirm, distancing themselves because, apparently, they like to keep their alliances squeaky clean. Poor Silvi must be wondering, “Why can’t we just all get along for once?”
Consensus: A Dream Deferred
Then, there’s the BSP, steadfast in supporting their candidate Natalia Kiselova, claiming that it’s not about who wears the Speaker hat, but how the parliamentary circus can reach some semblance of normalcy. Borislav Gutsanov weighed in with his sage wisdom, calling for a serious chat about policies before they start appointing speakers like it’s a game of musical chairs. Someone get them a therapist because this communication gap is crying for attention!
Legislative Programs and Parliamentary Frankenstein
And here comes Ivaylo Mirchev from the “Yes, Bulgaria” party, sounding the alarm about electing Kirilov without a clear legislative commitment. “It’ll be a parliamentary Frankenstein!” he warns. And what do we really need, dear readers? A mad political scientist stitching together a chaotic legislative agenda or a coherent strategy? Yeah, I thought so too! Put the pieces together, guys, or prepare for an electoral costume party going nowhere!
As if our national players couldn’t make this any more complicated, they all seem to agree on one point: there’s a lack of consensus on a legislative program. Who knew that trying to run a country would require some basic agreement? They really ought to add that to the job description!
So, What’s Next?
Ah, what a tangled web we weave! Borislav Gutsanov’s calling out the blame game, pointing fingers at the first political force, GERB, hoping they’ll step up and be accountable. But will they? Or will they continue to do the political macarena—two steps forward, three steps back—hoping for everyone to tire of the dance and retreat to the sidelines?
Is anyone else waiting for the moment when one party pulls out a giant “Not my problem!” sign? Because honestly, how long can this charade persist? The audience is getting restless, folks.
The Final Curtain?
If nothing else, this political tale serves as a reminder: when the stakes are high and egos are inflated, sometimes it’s less about governance and more about who can throw the best tantrum. Isn’t that right, Boyko Borisov? Apparently, tossing the nation back into elections might be a strategic goal, just to put off the inevitable—a little chaos for the sake of chaos!
So stay tuned, dear readers, because if this doesn’t get resolved soon, they’ll be handing out popcorn at the parliament just to keep us entertained. Until next time, keep those laughs coming, because let’s face it, sometimes it’s the only way to cope with the drama that unfolds in our political playground!
So far, the prospects for the parliament to successfully elect a president seem bleak as the fifth attempt has faltered. Following yet another unsuccessful vote on Wednesday, the MPs have decided to reconvene and give themselves a reprieve until Friday. The political landscape is particularly tense as GERB, Bulgaria’s leading political force, remains adamant about their claim to the presidency. However, the second-largest party, “We continue the change-Democratic Bulgaria” (PP-DB), has openly refused to back the nomination of Raya Nazaryan from GERB, citing their unwillingness to collaborate with political entities that have not endorsed their declaration establishing a “sanitary cordon” around Delyan Peevski and his party, “DPS-New Beginning.”
Their declaration found support from the ITN party, which put forward its deputy Silvi Kirilov—a prominent parliamentarian with a long tenure—who has presided over the first session that has now extended for more than ten days. The proposal is for Kirilov to serve in a temporary capacity merely to ensure that parliamentary functions can continue.
In a strategic shift, a few days ago, PP-DB indicated they were retracting their candidate for parliament head and were leaning towards the compromise of endorsing Silvi Kirilov. However, this plan was complicated by a rift within the PP-DB, particularly after the populist party “Vazrazhdane” expressed support for Kirilov, thereby enabling a potential majority for his election. Democratic Bulgaria had previously emphasized they could not form a coalition with “Vazrazhdane” due to significant ideological differences.
The underlying concern for Democratic Bulgaria is to avoid providing GERB leader Boyko Borisov with any ammunition to accuse them of aligning with an anti-European party like “Vazrazhdane.” This highlights the intricate web of political maneuvering taking place as parties evaluate their alliances.
Potential backing for Silvi Kirilov’s candidacy could arise from the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP). However, BSP officials have stressed that their interest lies not in merely electing a speaker but in choosing someone who could transition into the role of acting prime minister, a position filled by the parliamentary speaker upon a president’s appointment.
BSP has reiterated their commitment to their own candidate, Natalia Kiselova, rejecting the idea of a consensus around Kirilov. This insistence indicates a broader debate about the direction of parliamentary leadership and the policies that should guide legislative priorities.
DB wants a legislative program
“Electing Silvi Kirilov as Speaker of the National Assembly without a clear legislative program commitment will lead to a dysfunctional parliament,” cautioned Ivaylo Mirchev from the “Yes, Bulgaria” team, speaking on BNR. His remarks suggest that the DB demands that a speaker be chosen not just to facilitate parliamentary proceedings but to ensure that clear legislative priorities are established and agreed upon.
Following the elections on October 27, PP-DB advanced proposals for establishing a “sanitary cordon” around Delyan Peevski and his affiliates to create a more stable legislative environment. The advocates of this resolution hope to eliminate Peevski’s influence over parliamentary committees and to pursue measures that would strategically limit the Supreme Judicial Council’s power in appointing a new chief prosecutor while also filling positions in anti-corruption bodies.
Conflict over a cohesive legislative agenda appears to be a shared concern, as the BSP also recognized the need for consensus on legislative priorities.
“Electing the speaker of the National Assembly should transcend emotional impulses and focus on reaching agreements on key policies that will guide parliamentary operations,” asserted Borislav Gutsanov in remarks to BNT. He clearly outlined that discussions regarding support for the speaker are currently lacking deliberation and oversight.
According to DB, the key is in GERB, not in “Vazrazhdane”
After expressing earlier reservations about collaborating with “Vazrazhdane,” “Yes, Bulgaria” spokesperson Mirchev underscored the potential ramifications of any support for Kirilov.
“If we proceed with voting for Kirilov alongside ‘Vazrazhdane,’ our critics will inevitably question whether we considered the implications of a potential referendum proposing Bulgaria’s exit from the EU and NATO. We are approaching this situation with maturity and caution, hence our insistence on clarity regarding a legislative agenda and an established majority,” he emphasized.
Mirchev maintained that the pivotal responsibility for advancing this agenda lies with GERB. They face a crucial decision: either support the declaration of a “sanitary cordon” or jeopardize the stability of the government, potentially leading the country toward elections.
He argued that should GERB indicate a desire to expedite elections by relinquishing the first mandate, they would swiftly shift their support towards Silvi Kirilov given the new circumstances, marking an unexpected turn of events in the political climate.
Mirchev also asserted that GERB’s stance appears focused on compelling DB into an alliance with “Vazrazhdane” for their own political gain.
“The intent of Boyko Borisov and Delyan Peevski is to catalyze elections in a parliament devoid of a solid majority, facilitating the selection of Borislav Sarafov as chief prosecutor for another term,” he suggested, illustrating the stakes at play in this protracted negotiation.
Mirchev referred to the anti-corruption initiatives championed by PP-DB, reiterating that “the only route toward achieving these aims is through legislative action in the parliament.” He emphasized the pivotal nature of this situation, stressing the reluctance of Boyko Borisov to endorse the declaration due to the vulnerabilities it presents to their agenda.
What does BSP want?
From Borislav Gutsanov’s remarks on BNT, it became clear that the BSP is advocating for a postponement of the electricity market liberalization for household consumers and is exploring options to potentially eliminate this measure from the national recovery plan.
BSP’s nominee for the parliament head, Nataliya Kiselova, expressed optimism about resuming discussions regarding the National Assembly’s leadership. “I sincerely hope that other parliamentary groups will reconsider their positions, paving the way for dialogue. We have initiated conversations with ‘Vazrazhdane,’ and our leadership has extended invitations to ITN. It’s critical for the parliament to function rather than immediately dissolve into elections,” she stated in an interview with “Bulgaria on Air.”
Kiselova attributed the paralysis plaguing the parliament chiefly to GERB, proclaiming, “They exhibit no sense of urgency. They don’t articulate their stance; they merely present a candidate and expect support. There should be no dictated decisions; they lack a majority.” This assertion underscores the frustrations emerging from the perceived inaction of the leading political force.
Her sentiment suggested that GERB may be hoping others would eventually acquiesce, allowing tensions to simmer while simultaneously undermining the parliament’s reputation. “The notion that elections must be held immediately is fundamentally misguided,” she concluded.
How can Bulgarian political parties establish a clear consensus to prioritize policy alignment over political theatrics?
Ive cooperation that establishes a clear consensus, prioritizing policy alignment over political theatrics.”
the current political situation in Bulgaria is marked by a lack of consensus and collaboration among legislative parties. Key players are grappling with conflicting interests, leading to stalled progress on crucial leadership appointments and the establishment of a functional legislative agenda. The continued insistence on various party agendas, from the BSP’s endorsement of Natalia Kiselova to the demands from DB for a clear commitment to legislative priorities, showcases the complexities and tensions of the parliamentary landscape.
Amid these struggles, it seems that without substantial cooperation and a shared vision for legislative direction, Bulgaria’s political landscape might remain mired in chaos, leaving citizens yearning for meaningful governance rather than political gamesmanship. As this narrative unfolds, the question remains: will the parties rise above their differences to form a cohesive government, or will they continue to dance around each other, leading the nation toward an inevitable electoral showdown? Only time will tell.