No Need to Change Presidential Powers in Bulgaria – Ex Head of State

Former Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov has said he sees no reason for serious and radical changes to the Constitutional powers of the President

Parvanov, as cited by Darik radio, commented on a recent proposal of Vice President Margarita Popova.

Several days ago, Popova claimed that there was a flaw in the Bulgarian Constitution because the President was only allowed to a one-time only refusal to sign the decree for the appointment of a Chief Prosecutor and Chairpersons of supreme courts.

Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev, however, argued that there was no need for amendments because the Constitution worked well, it was balanced, and protected the interests of all institutions in the country.

Speaking Saturday in the northeastern city of Dobrich, Parvanov said that it was no time for a constitutional debate, because "the Bulgarian Constitution is European, functional, and it is better to think how to apply it efficiently rather than keep changing it all the time."

"The task of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) at the upcoming parliamentary elections is victory, and not just symbolic, but enough to form a stable solid government," said Parvanov, who was head of state for two terms in office in the period 2002 – 2012.

He argued that the possibility of a coalition government was not to be excluded, adding that it had to be BSP-dominated so that the party could implement its ideas and not come up with excuses on the basis of coalition compromises.

"To me it is not important to reach a draw, expecting GERB to fall, but to reach a much higher percentage which will allow us to have enough MPs in the next Parliament," Parvanov noted.

He suggested that BSP had to engage in active negotiations with "all opposed to the current adventuristic government of GERB."

Bulgaria's former President suggested that BSP had to create a coalition in which the people saw broad guarantees for representative government.

Parvanov was in Dobrich to take part in the celebrations for the 110th anniversary of the establishment of the local unit of the socialist party.