Italian daily “Corriere della Sera”
Q: The presidential elections on November 18 brought victory to the leader of the Socialist Party, that is the former Communist party. Do you think this will prompt other changes?
A: I think that at the beginning a lot of people expected Parvanov to be more radical. It was long ago that he expressed his support for Bulgaria’s entry into the European Union and NATO. I’ve always placed Bulagaria’s interests above everything else. I believe that president-elect Parvanov and I will agree on this issue.
Q: Did your life change since you involved actively in Bulgaria’s political life?
A: I’ve taken only one day off for the last seven months. I spend twelve hours in the office and continue my work at home, doing my “homework” as my body-guards call the stuff I take home in two big suitcases. My clock rings at 5,30, so that I have time to prepare for the day. Nevertheless my bureau is always littered with documents.
Q: What does governing Bulgaria in he capacity of Prime Minister means to you?
A: I was thrilled that people elected me. Managing a company or government is all a question of organization, of the ability to work in a team. Certainly, the responsibility is huge. People have great expectation for the near future at that. I have only two hands and one head, a bit tired already, and nobody can work wonders.
Q: Can we expect visible changes soon?
A: I don’t mean to make big effective bags. We want to build Bulgaria’s image as a serious country with supremacy of the law. When we formed the new Cabinet I insisted that the Minister of Labour be Deputy Prime Minister as well in order to underline the importance we attach to this issue. We earmarked sums from our humble budget to solving social problems – pensions, wages, and employment.
Q: Simeon II was born King, now he is elected Prime Minister. How do the two faces coexist?
A: I was in the United States not long ago. At a conference I said that I do my best in the capacity of Prime Minister and I am very proud of my position. That’s the way I see and feel things. I can’t be reborn in order to shed off my historical legacy.
Q: Under the law adopted last year, all it takes to make amendments to Bulgarian Constitution is to summon the Grand National Assembly. In other words monarchy can be restored without referendum. What do you think about that?
A: A few days ago one British newspaper published an article according to which I did not rule out the possibility of restoring the monarchy. What I really had said is that in politis it is wrong to role out something a priori. One should never say “Never”.
Q: Do you feel to a certain degree Italian on your mother’s side, Queen Ioanna?
A: I have always spoken Italian. I know the country and its country. I have many friends. I am glad that in Trieste, I am invited as Prime Minister of Bulgaria. Who could have supposed such a thing! This is a possibility to meet Berlusconi and to share ideas with him. Dialogue is important to deepen the understanding between the countries.
Q: You are King Umberto’s will executor. What were your relations?
A: I felt great affection and admiration for my uncle. The weirdest thing is that I came to know him really only after his death when I read the different instructions that he has left. In his saloon, library, one could see his as elegant man with perfect looks. When I saw his unpretentious bedroom, I saw his other side. He was a person with rich spirituality. A religious man like me.
Q; Your father was buried in a small chapel in Vrana, afterwards he was moved to an unknown place. Did you manage to find out where?
A: Five years ago, a body similar to a committee was formed to investigate the issue, but nothing came out from that. The five people who moved the body are obviously afraid since they do not say anything. When in 1193, my mother came back, we found out that his heart was taken out and moved to the Forensic Medicine Institute. We buried his heart in the Rila Monastery.
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