/ world today news/ Petar Vitanov, Head of the Delegation of the Bulgarian Socialists in the EP and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation – Bureau Bulgaria organized a discussion and presented the collection “Myths about the BSP after 1989.” The event was held in “Sofia Hotel Balkan”, hall “Royal 1”. The collection “Myths of the BSP” is a new look at the history of the BSP after 1989.
“They say that by the time the truth puts on its shoes, a lie has already gone around the world.” Over the past three decades, the BSP’s political opponents have used every opportunity to turn the socialist party into the “convenient culprit” who is responsible for all crises and failures and has not contributed to any success,” Petar Vitanov said.
The author’s team includes proven scientists and analysts who are well versed in the processes of social and political life in Bulgaria – Prof. Iskra Baeva, Prof. Boyan Durankev, Prof. D.Sc. Dimitar Hadjinikolov, Dr. Boyan Balev, Dr. Vanya Grigorova, Dr. Lyubomir Paunov, Prof. Svetla Bachvarova-Piralkova, Dr. Lyubomir Kyuchukov, Dr. Alexander Dimitrov
In their texts, they offer detailed analysis and reasoned assessment based on historical facts, statistical data, authoritative studies of recognized international organizations. They debunk clichés about the BSP’s foreign and domestic political orientation, the state of the pension and banking system, health care, its role in the creation of the oligarchy in the country. The emphasis is placed on the discrepancy between the objective reality and the perceptions prevailing in the public space, which still bring reputational damage to the BSP, very often – without any basis.
“BSP is a 130-year-old party that made its mistakes, but also proved its achievements, many of which are reflected in our lives to this day. Today, the left movement is gaining strength in Europe, and in Bulgaria it is more necessary than ever – we are still the poorest country in the EU and the first in terms of inequality, which is gaining monstrous proportions. Our country needs a strong and clearly stated left, which can provide an answer to the deepening problems and looming crises, to provide stability, opportunities and a chance for a dignified life for everyone,” said Petar Vitanov.
“The BSP is a structure-determining party for Bulgarian political life and has a great role in the modern history of our country. Therefore, it is important to do this reading, which is important not only for the future of the Bulgarian left, but also for its political future”, said the moderator of the discussion, Boris Popivanov.
“As a researcher, I managed to dispel the myth that the BSP stole the pensions of Bulgarians. Undoubtedly, the BSP is also to blame for some of the decisions made, but if we are looking for the organization that actually carries out the basic changes in the system, including the capital second pillar, it is the UDS,” adds trade unionist Vanya Grigorova.
“When the BSP participated in the management of the country, it most often brought more expertise, ensured stability and calmness,” says economist Prof. Boyan Durankev.
“The BSP has made enormous efforts since the beginning of the 90s to be a pro-European party, and this is one of the most important reasons why there are no anti-European sentiments in Bulgaria at the moment. This is a huge merit of the Bulgarian left”, says Dr. Lyubomir Kyuchukov.
After more than thirty years of transition, people continue to be excited by the question of the genesis of the Bulgarian nouveau riche, some of whom they call oligarchs. According to the reading of Prof. D.Sc. Dimitar Hadjinikolov, among them there are the fewest people from the BSP, because “it is a question of a specific clientelistic oligarchic model of governance, in which their interests are realized through “one-day” parties of the leadership type, and in the BSP there is a collective method of governance and it most difficult to lend itself to clientelism’.
The discussion brought together politicians, representatives of scientific circles, students, participants in the non-governmental sector.
The Director of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation – Bureau Bulgaria Jacques Paparo said that such a discussion is extremely important in order to be able to distinguish between facts and propaganda and to correctly evaluate not only past but also future political processes.
To contact the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the EP:
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