King`s party will introduce competition as a fundamental principle in employing high ranking officials
Mr Gerdzhikov, how will you proceed in developing parliamentarism within your mandate?
- Just as every other young democracy, we far from perfection, although much has been done so far. I respect continuity in power and from this point of view we are resolved to adopt all positive that has been achieved up to this point. The social prestige of parliament needs to be raised and this is one of our first
priorities. The legislature suffers from poor reputation among the Bulgarians. In this respect we rely on our cooperation with the
journalists. Media, as we all know, comprise the so called Fourth Branch of the power. They are opinion makers. In the media guild, together with splendid professionals in journalism, there are also some, who are not willing or maybe unable to always objectively report on the parliamentary activities or the behaviour of the MPs. They are rather inclined to draw the attention of their readers to irrelevant matters.
Do you intend to undertake specific legislative steps designed to raise the prestige of the legislature? Or are you in favour of amending the organization of the parliamentary activities?
- Both ways. Both the efficiency of the legislative activity and the quality of legislative acts need to be improved. Let me
reiterate that in my opinion a sizeable number of legislative acts adopted by the preceding National Assembly cannot meet the corresponding criteria, free for internal contradictions. Producing high quality legislative acts is one of my major ambitions.
Confrontation is the major trait of the parliamentarian behaviour. It seems, from the first sessions, you are headed to change that.
- Confrontation has acquired the qualities of an inherent feature of Bulgarian parliament, driving away the constructive spirit the National Assembly should have. If we manage to overcome the spirit of confrontation, I will consider it a major achievement of our mandate. We showed from the very beginning that we will respect tolerance, as we all have entered this building with the sole intention to work for Bulgaria, not to assert ourselves in futile partisan struggles. The role of the opposition does not consist in
opposing each and every move of the ruling majority, at all costs. Nor the majority should decline any proposal raised by the opposition. We will do our best to maintain the dialogue among the parliamentary powers in order to make decisions that will serve best Bulgaria`s not any party`s interests. Which is your political opponent? As on today, the Coalition for Bulgaria is most suited to be the parliamentary opponent of the National Movement for Simeon II. It is too early to say, yet it is not unlikely that the United Democratic Forces, or the Movement for Rights and Freedoms join the opposition as well. All these three options are likely. But whoever comprises our opposition, I am confident they will be constructive opponents, more constructive that in the previous parliament. I hope I will not
turn out too big an optimist.
The previous government used to take pride of its ability to make decisions in critical situations. Do you think you possess this quality in the necessary degree?
- As far as critical situations are concerned, we should perceive parliament as a whole, not a separate fraction, be it the ruling one. The ruling majority will assume the political responsibility for a given decision. Yet it bears the responsibility for consolidating the legislature. Critical situations demand
muliti-partisan decisions. In this way we should speak about the parliament`s ability to master critical situations.
Recently you said you will create a friendly environment for foreign investors. What are your specific steps.
- We do not distinguish between foreign and Bulgarian investors. The investor as such should be stimulated to invest without having
first to overcome administrative barriers. The first thing that can be done is reducing the number of licensing regimes and permits that
create the corruption environment. Second, the investor will feel stimulated if we provide the opportunity for larger profits and offer the benefits for the case of profit re-investment - through a relevant tax policy. This item is laid in the NMSII platform. Any profit reinvested in industrial production, it will be profit tax
exempt. Only if and when reinvested in business activity, not in vintage cars. An abatement of the overall tax burden is on our agenda as well, as a venue to fight grey economy.
Fighting corruption is one of your major priorities. How do you intend to minimise corruption in the administration?
- This is a sore problem! State administration is corroded with corruption through and through. Not to the extent to destroy the state apparatus, though. Yet the current level of corruption has
long surpassed the threshold of social tolerance. I would like to point out just a couple of the techniques for fighting corruption -
appropriate jurisdiction and raising high the competitive principle in recruiting high ranking government officials. Another tool is introducing the ombudsman institution, which has proved its
viability in many advanced countries. It will provide tools for correcting the actions of the administration and serve as a buffer against protracting urgent matters, which currently becomes a source of corruption.
How will you curb the privileges of the MPs? Don`t they need certain benefits?
- It seems to me this question received an exaggerated media exposure it does not actually deserve. There is nothing wrong in providing certain benefits for the people in power. We are not going to push the pendulum in the other extreme. Yet MPs should understand they are not God`s chosen people. Any benefits that do not benefit the efficiency of their immediate activities and responsibilities, as well as their safety, will be. The size of the car fleet for MPS
is blown out of proportions. The MPs of the NMSII are banned from entering company executive and supervisory boards. That does not mean an MP is banned from any activity. I myself will keep on lecturing in the university.
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