More than 100 public figures from culture, science, media and politics issued an appeal for the urgent formation of a pro-European government.
They call on “political parties that define themselves as pro-European to reach an understanding and form a parliamentary majority around clear priorities and an undisputed candidate for prime minister” and to “provide real help to Ukraine.”
“The government formed with this support should speed up Bulgaria’s integration policy in the European Union and NATO, protect our acceptance in Schengen and the Eurozone, and take immediate measures to restore the judicial system,” the text says.
The signatories state that “Bulgaria’s European future is at risk and must be defended with courage, determination and dignity, both in the field of international politics and within the framework of the domestic political debate”.
Among the signatories are Edwin Sugarev, Zdravka Evtimova, Alek Popov, Vladi Vargala, Velizar Shalamanov, Vili Lilkov, Todor Tagarev, Bogdana Karadocheva, Vasko Krpkata, Orlin Pavlov, Evgeni Mihailov, Evdokia Maneva, Krasen Stanchev, Ognyan Minchev, and others.
Here is the full text:
APPEAL
Since the Liberation in 1878, the modern Bulgarian state has constantly faced the challenge of defending its independence, upholding the Apostle’s covenant: “Let us be equal with other European nations!”. The unification and the declaration of Independence, the rush into the Balkan Wars and the First World War, victories and failures, our entire new history is forged with the will for a European image of Bulgaria.
The Soviet occupation on September 9, 1944 placed our country under totalitarian communist rule for 45 years, but after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Bulgaria freely chose its destiny. With the will and hopes, with the energy and tireless efforts of the active part of society, the Bulgarian right joined our country to the European Union and NATO. The ideal of several generations of builders of a new Bulgaria has come true in its modern political dimensions.
In 2023, the belief that the choice made is final and guaranteed is shaken. The brutal war that the Putin regime is waging against Ukraine is an attempt to impose a new order and Russian hegemony in Eastern Europe, and it clearly shows that broad sections of Bulgarian society are subject to the heavily financed Russian fifth column, which has aim to divert us from the European path. There is a deepening political crisis, both because of the lack of a clear parliamentary majority and bright political leadership, and because of the division in society over the war against Ukraine. This situation strengthens the positions of political forces alien to our national interests.
Without a clear will of the Bulgarian parliament, the caretaker governments of Rumen Radev lose their political focus and call into question the civilizational choice made in the Transition years.
We are convinced that the behavior of the leading political parties must change! Because Bulgaria’s European future is at risk and must be defended with courage, determination and dignity, both in the field of international politics and within the framework of the domestic political debate.
In this situation, we, the signatories of this appeal, call for:
Political parties that define themselves as pro-European reach an understanding and form a parliamentary majority around clear priorities and an undisputed candidate for prime minister, who will take responsibility for leading the country out of the deepening political and economic crisis;
The government formed with this support should speed up the policy of Bulgaria’s integration into the European Union and NATO, protect our acceptance into Schengen and the Eurozone, take immediate measures to restore the judicial system and integrity in governance;
Parliament and the government to provide real assistance to Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, together with the adoption of a national investment program for the accelerated modernization of our armed forces and defense industry.
Signatures follow:
1. Alek Popov, writer
2. Alexander Chobanov, writer and screenwriter
3. Angel Buzalov, lawyer
4. Anita Kolarova, musician
5. Atanas Kiryakov, director
6. Blagoi Dimitrov, Member of Parliament in the 37th National Assembly, 38th National Assembly, 39th National Assembly
7. Bogdana Karadocheva
8. Vasko Krpkata, musician
9. Velizar Shalamanov, security expert
10. Veselin Todorov, founder of rock group Factor
11. Violina Burzakova, violinist
12. Vladi Vargala, actor
13. Vladimir Kisyov, chairman of the SOS 2003-2007, chief negotiator for Bulgaria’s accession to the EU
14. Vladimir Levchev, writer and teacher
15. Vladimir Todorov, director – animator
16. Georgi Angelov, translator, journalist at BNT
17. Georgi Lipovanski, artist
18. Georgi Papakochev, journalist
19. Goryana Panayotova, poetess
20. Associate Professor Alexander Gerov, BAS
21. Assoc. Dr. Boyko Penchev, literary critic
22. Assoc. Dr. Goran Stojkovski, political scientist, VTU
23. Assoc. Dr. Daria Karapetkova, philologist
24. Assoc. Dr. Elka Traikova, literary critic
25. Prof. Dr. Krasen Stanchev, economist and philosopher
26. Assoc. Dr. Momchil Bajakov, political scientist
27. Assoc. Dr. Ognyan Minchev, political scientist
28. Associate Professor Dr. Petko Lalov, teacher, mathematician
29. Associate Professor Dr. Svetoslav Zhivkov
30. Dr. Lubomir Kanov, psychiatrist
31. Dr. Martin Tabakov, political scientist
32. Evgeni Petrov, journalist
33. Yevgeny Mihailov, director
34. Evdokia Maneva, former Minister of Environment and Water and Member of Parliament in the 39th National Assembly and 40th National Assembly
35. Emil Andreev, writer
36. Jacqueline Toleva, chairman of the Bulgarian Democratic Forum
37. Zdravka Evtimova, writer
38. Ivaylo Ninov, cartoonist
39. Orlin Pavlov, musician, singer, actor
40. Ivaylo Noisey Tsvetkov, journalist
41. Ivan Sotirov, Member of Parliament in the 37th National Assembly and 40th National Assembly
42. Iliana Eskenazi, philologist
43. Yordan Lozanov, journalist and diplomat
44. Irinei Konstantinov, actor
45. Kalin Velov, musician
46. Kalin Sirmenov, actor
47. Kiril Efremov, actor
48. Kosta Iliev, development director of the World Basketball Federation
49. Kostadin Kostadinov, writer and publisher
50. Lilia Abadjieva, director
51. Lilo Petrov, writer and screenwriter
52. Lachezar Toshev, biologist, member of parliament from the 36th to the 41st National Assembly, vice-president of PACE
53. Lyuben Markov, documentarian
54. Lubomir Yashev
55. Svilen Simeonov, conductor
56. Marianna Melnishka, translator and teacher, NBU
57. Martin Piskuliyski, artist
58. Mila Iscrenova, choreographer
59. Milena Fuchedzhieva, writer
60. Mirela Ivanova, playwright
61. Mihail Boyadzhiev, lawyer
62. Mikhail Veshim, writer, ch. editor of the Sturshel newspaper
63. Muravey Radev, former Minister of Finance, Member of Parliament in the 37th National Assembly, 38th National Assembly and 39th National Assembly
64. Nadia Rozeva, sculptor
65. Nikolai Nikolov-Zikov, artist
66. Nikolai Tabakov, writer
67. Oleg Kovachev, director
68. Petko Durmana, artist
69. Peter Tishkin, journalist
70. Plamen Asenov, poet, journalist
71. Plamen Borisov, lawyer
72. prof. Avram Eskenazi, BAN
73. Prof. Amelia Licheva, writer
74. Prof. Dr. Andrey Zahariev, teacher
75. prof. Dr. Vladimir Zhobov, literary critic, SU
76. Prof. Dr. Evelina Kelbecheva, historian
77. Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Karahasan – Chanar, historian
78. Prof. Dr. Milena Stefanova, lecturer SU
79. Prof. Dr. Plamen Pavlov, historian
80. Prof. Dr. Rumyana Kolarova, political scientist
81. Prof. Dr. Stoyan Prodanov, financier
82. Prof. Dr. Vili Lilkov, teacher
83. Prof. Dr. Garo Mardirosyan, BAS
84. Prof. Boyan Biolchev, professor of literature
85. Prof. Ivan Lalov, lecturer
86. Prof. Milena Kirova, Ph.D., philologist
87. Prof. Todor Tagarev, security expert
88. Prof. Tsvetan Nedkov, teacher at NATFIZ
89. Ralitsa Petkova, violinist
90. Rusi Chanev, actor
91. Svetlozar Donchev, musician
92. Snezhina Petrova, actress
93. Stoyko Stoyanov, journalist, editor-in-chief of the site “Faktor”
94. Stoyan Radev, director
95. Teodora Dimova, writer
96. Teodosi Spasov – musician
97. Todor Tokin, journalist
98. Helia Chavdarova, journalist
99. Hristo Kirchev, Mayor of Varna (1991-1999) and People’s Representative in the 39th and 40th NA
100. Hristo Hristov, journalist, writer, researcher of the communist past
101. Rosen Elezov, director
102. Tiha Genova, opera singer
103. Zhechko Koichev, musician and translator
104. Boyka Velkova, actress
105. Marta Taneva, violinist
106. associate professor Albena Taneva, lecturer SU
107. Professor Todor Tanev, lecturer SU
108. Yonko Yonchev, publisher “Riva”
109. Edwin Sugarev, poet
110. Dimitar Bochev, writer
111. Rosen Barchovski, coach of the national basketball team
112. Nikolay Vasilev, political scientist
113. Silvia Nedkova, journalist “Slaveykov Square”
114. Statul Karabashev, journalist
115. Avgustina Tsvetkova, journalist and diplomat
116. Nikolay Nenchev, lawyer, former Minister of Defense
117. Zhivko Georgiev, musician
118. Prof. Dr. Petar Tivchev, orthopedic traumatologist
119. Professor of Physics Dimo Uzunov, Ph.D
