With calls for “resignation” and accusations of an “assassination attempt”, socialists not being allowed in the hall, tension in the corridors and accusations between the leadership of the party – this is how the 50th anniversary congress of the BSP proceeds. It was held at the NDK in Sofia less than two months before the upcoming early parliamentary elections on April 2.
The tension arose because of the domestic opposition’s suspicions of manipulation of the number of delegates, of a list of bans from entering the hall, as well as procedural gripes with which the leadership tries to avoid a substantive political discussion and the demand for the replacement of the party chairman.
Delegates alleged that there was a quorum game by the BSP leadership. Oppositionists stated that a few minutes before the meeting, about 500 delegates were registered, and immediately after that, their number on paper exceeded 800 in the hall. This heated up the atmosphere of the congress.
Meanwhile, temperatures in the hall rose after delegates were not given a handout at the start of the meeting, brought by Sergey Stanishev, Georgi Pirinski, Velislava Dureva, Atanas Merdzhanov, Valery Zablyanov and others. draft resolution in which it was envisaged the resignation of BSP leader Cornelia Ninova.
It followed dissatisfaction with the shit of Valery Zablyanov, who accused the BSP leadership of censorship. “That is why we have gathered, to comment on the fate of the party. In the submitted resolution, the Congress is asked to confirm Ninova’s resignation”commented Zablyanov.
The MEP Petar Vitanov requested that the first item on the agenda be the termination of Nineveh’s powers.
“How long will we pretend that we are on the right path while we have lost our way, how long will we make excuse after excuse for our failures. We all bear the blame, but the leader always bears the responsibility. A true leader knows how to win battles, but also knows how to convey the result. When you have no valor after almost a liquidation, then comes the revolution and the resistance. I want the first item on the agenda to be the termination of the chairman’s powers“, stated Vitanov.
However, his proposal was not voted on by the chairman of the meeting George Svilenski. His argument was that it was unconstitutional.
Then another delegate – Peter Mutafchiev, said that nine delegates, by decision of the BSP National Council, were unlawfully removed from the meeting and demanded that their right to attend be restored. He stated that this is unconstitutional because the National Council cannot change the decisions of the conferences.
Rumen Gechev stood up to domestic opposition. “How do you imagine we spend a whole day debating the question of the leader, and who will represent the party in the elections. This is an attempt to assassinate the BSP for the elections and it can’t pass”said Gechev.
“We heard this both in April and in June. I am addressing the leadership – then you won congress and BSP lost elections. Now I appeal to you – give up winning this congress so that BSP can win the elections”answered him Krum Zarkovwho is the ex-officio Minister of Justice and a member of the BSP.
This was followed by the presentation of the political report by the party leader Cornelia Ninova. As she delivered her speech, chants of “resignation” could be heard from the corridor. Part of the delegates left the hall, led by former leader Sergey Stanishev.
“BSP will not form a coalition with GERB, and I ask that all speculations on this issue be stopped”, Ninova said. Let the elections pass, let’s see which parties will gain the trust of the people and then decide with whom to participate in the government, she added. According to her, this decision should be taken through an internal party poll of all BSP members, and they are about 80,000 people.
There are ideological differences with President Rumen Radev of the BSP, Ninova said.
BSP supports the request of the “Vazrazhdane” party for a referendum on the euro, added the leader of the socialists.
She called for an end to infighting.
“It is precisely those who for years were fed by the government of GERB and the regime of Boyko Borisov, and you know this because you see it in every municipality, and it is precisely they who are shouting the loudest today that the BSP will form a coalition with GERB and that this has already been agreed upon, those who have been at GERB’s feeder for years with a single goal – to break the party from within”Ninova said.
The BSP leader defined the Istanbul Convention as a threat to the Bulgarian society and family. She added that there is serious pressure on the BSP from the PES side.
“As long as I am the chairman of the BSP, we will not give in to this pressure. If you replace me one day, do whatever you want. But until then I will stand with all my might, and I am sure on your behalf that we have boys and girls at home, and that we are mothers and fathers”said Cornelia Ninova.
“We are dealing with a program, a statute, not with prices, with the energy situation, with the war, with the upcoming elections. We are dealing with ourselves. This signals to people that we don’t care what they tell us.”he said Sergey Stanishevafter walking out of the hall in protest.
He explained that he participated in the demonstration against the BSP’s way of governing along with many other delegates in an “attempt to save our party because it is our responsibility”.
During the congress, Stefan Burjev proposed that the BSP organize a national referendum “for” or “against” the study of “gender ideology” in schools.
The former energy minister also participated in the congress Rumen Ovcharov, which was included in the second list under the global “Magnitsky” corruption law. He arrived together with his daughter, who is also a member of the BSP. He stated that nothing bothered him. He declined to comment on whether he took 5 million euros in commissions, as the US claims. “If I have something to tell you, I will call you and tell you. Now, if you love me, set me free”he addressed the journalists.
Before the start of the congress, security prevented Cyril Dobrev and other socialists to enter the hall. At the end of 2021, Dobrev was expelled from the party, but the court refused to enter the decision and thus remained part of the BSP and its leadership.
“Here my photo has been distributed to the security and I should not be allowed to the congress, although the conference in Novi Iskar confirmed my membership, including a year has passed since the punishment, including I have two court decisions, but apparently the lady from Mizia has no desire to see me at the convention,” he said on Saturday, adding that he had filed a complaint over his denial.
*Photos are from BGNES
