LGBTQ+ Rights in Bulgaria: Public Attitudes Remain Unchanged in 2024
A recent survey by Alpha Research, commissioned by the GLAS Foundation, reveals that despite intensified public debates and targeted attacks on the LGBTQ+ community in 2024
Boyko Borissov, the chairman of GERB, made an unexpected announcement during a live broadcast on "Facebook," revealing that the anticipated cabinet rotation between Nikolai Denkov and Mariya Gabriel on March 6 will not proceed as planned. The reason cited for the delay is GERB's participation in the congress of the European People's Party (EPP) in Bucharest, where crucial votes, including support for Ursula Von der Leyen's possible second term as the head of the European Commission, will take place.
"The Congress is serious enough. I have to vote, so I can't be here," Borissov stated, emphasizing the significance of GERB's presence at the EPP event. However, Borissov expressed dissatisfaction with GERB's partners, particularly "We Continue the Change," regarding Denkov's proposed position as Minister of Foreign Affairs after Gabriel assumes the role of prime minister. Borissov criticized the insistence on Denkov's appointment, stating, "You want to take the poor man's shirt off his back."
"From the outside, we look like a group of people who are fighting for meetings, positions and trips. It's as if Bulgaria's politics and welfare are being done abroad. We don't do that," announced Borissov during a meeting with sympathizers in Kostenets. He said that Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov and Deputy Prime Minister Mariya Gabriel are currently traveling too much, so that they do not have time to evaluate the work of ministries so far. "People just can't stop traveling! (...) It's not just about traveling, but what decisions you will make," said Borissov.
"In other words, the people who have to negotiate on the rotation cannot see each other! And these meetings on the rotation are so important. We are sitting with Kiril Petkov and waiting for Denkov and Gabriel to understand each other. Do you think this is serious," asked Borissov and reiterated again that "We Continue the change - Democratic Bulgaria" have all the ministries except foreign affairs, as well as 2/3 of the regional governors in the country.
The GERB leader said that if, after March 8, they continue to talk about positions like this, there will be a very bad outcome for all participants in the current ruling majority. He responded to allegations that the Minister of Internal Affairs is an appointment of GERB. "If this was true - the minister would be Mladen Marinov," said Borissov. He added that until the appointment of the current interior minister, Kalin Stoyanov, the two had never met."Wait, we are not bums. You will not give us anything, we will beat you and we will take what was taken from us because of the compromise", Boyko Borissov addressed his "non-coalition" partners of the "assembly".
Atanas Zafirov, the acting leader of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), emphasized the importance of forming a government not only to pass the budget but to safeguard the democratic system in the country.
Kostadin Kostadinov, leader of the pro-Russian "Revival" party, emphasized that his party is ready to take responsibility for forming a government in Bulgaria if they receive a mandate
Bulgaria's Foreign Minister Ivan Kondov stated that the country does not anticipate a rise in migration from the Middle East, and believes that the current situation could lead to a reverse trend
Delyan Peevski, leader of the DPS-New Beginning formation, has strongly criticized Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, accusing him of undermining the Constitution and creating political chaos
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will visit Bulgaria on December 19, 2024, as announced by the Ministry of Defense
Kiril Petkov has officially submitted a waiver of his parliamentary immunity to the registry of the 51st National Assembly
Bulgaria Ranks Second in the Balkans at Paris 2024 Olympics, 26th Overall
Bulgaria Leads Europe in Heat-Related Deaths in Record-Breaking 2023