Bulgarian Political Turmoil: Denkov Exposes Peevski’s influence and Government Risks
Former Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov, now an MP from We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria (PP-DB), has shed light on the persistent influence of Delyan Peevski, leader of DPS-novo Nachalo, in Bulgarian politics. Denkov’s revelations come amid a heated debate over Peevski’s alleged attempts to impose himself on government officials, raising concerns about the integrity of Bulgaria’s political system.
Peevski’s Persistent Influence
Denkov addressed the controversy surrounding text messages allegedly exchanged between Peevski and himself, which Peevski claims were sent by Denkov and former Prime Minister Kiril Petkov. Denkov dismissed the authenticity of the messages but acknowledged Peevski’s relentless efforts to assert control.“it doesn’t matter if they are real. They show that Peevski always tries to impose himself on whoever is in government,” Denkov stated in an interview with BNR. He revealed that Peevski had contacted him multiple times during September-October 2023, a period marked by intense discussions on constitutional changes. “They were a condition for the Netherlands to remove the Schengen veto. When it became clear that the rotation would not be implemented, I cut off all communication with Peevski,” Denkov explained.
Peevski’s role,according to Denkov,was tied to securing the necessary two-thirds majority for critical votes. “As of this, there were contacts. In these contacts, he repeatedly made various requests. In most cases, they were insufficiently reasoned and did not materialize,” Denkov added.
The “Shishi” Pseudonym
In a surprising twist, Denkov disclosed that Peevski was recorded in his phone under the pseudonym “shishi.” “My phone never had Peevski written on it. So, that’s a different matter. it was clear when that photo came out,it was clear to me that it was a fake,as that writing couldn’t appear on my phone. There was another name there. I think viewers can easily guess which one. The name was Shishi,” Denkov revealed.
Risks in the Current Government Configuration
denkov expressed cautious optimism about the formation of a regular government, marking the end of a prolonged political crisis. Though, he warned of inherent risks in the current configuration. “For the first time in a long time, GERB took direct political responsibility for forming a government. however, such a configuration hides several risks – how will they combine the different points of view regarding European topics – the eurozone, aid to ukraine, regarding justice reform, how to protect themselves from Peevski’s attempts to influence,” he saeid.
He also criticized the suspension of the election of acting chief prosecutor Borislav Sarafov, calling it a constitutional violation. “But they left both him and Cholakov at the head of these two institutions for another six months – with the clear awareness that they are violating the Constitution,” Denkov remarked.
Concerns Over Ministerial Teams
Denkov emphasized the need for vigilance in the formation of ministerial teams, notably in the Ministry of Internal Affairs.“What came out as data about the head of the office of the Minister of Internal Affairs shows that there will be problems there. Daniel Mitov does not know this system well. Obviously, someone suggested this person to him. If he wants to keep the respect of the people, Mitov should find another quickly,” he advised.
Denkov reiterated PP-DB’s commitment to clarity in appointing regulators. “We always wanted no quota principle,” he declared.
Key Points Summary
| Topic | Details |
|——————————-|—————————————————————————–|
| Peevski’s Influence | Alleged attempts to impose himself on government officials. |
| Communication Period | September-October 2023, during constitutional change discussions. |
| Pseudonym | Peevski recorded as “Shishi” in Denkov’s phone. |
| Government Risks | Challenges in aligning views on EU topics and justice reform. |
| Ministerial Concerns | Issues with the appointment of Daniel Mitov in the Ministry of Internal affairs. |
Denkov’s revelations underscore the ongoing struggle for transparency and accountability in Bulgarian politics,as the contry navigates complex internal and external challenges.
