/ world today news/ “Proposals for changes to the Constitution are subject to specific circumstances due to the war in Ukraine, relations between the West and Bulgaria, as a member of NATO and the EU, and the Russian Federation. The aspiration is to erase from the Bulgarian memory everything related to the Russo-Turkish War of Liberation. I will not be surprised if the study of “Shipka’s militia” is also banned in school.
Second, from the point of view of the content of the changes – they are ignorant. Look at the national holidays of almost all European countries. They are related to nation building and are associated with key events. Especially the new countries that have not existed for decades for one reason or another – this is the case in Croatia, in Belgium, in Poland. The national holiday is associated with statehood. The fact is that modern Bulgarian statehood began on March 3, when Bulgaria reappeared on the map of Europe after 500 years of Ottoman slavery. And they want to delete it?! Third, the political implications of the proposals made are divisive. The whole charm of May 24 and its uniqueness is that it is a national holiday. It was not created by decree. It comes from the depths of the soul of the Bulgarian people, and there is no one who, when he hears “Vorvi narode vozrodeni”, does not have his heart flutter, does not have something stuck in his throat. And making it official, opposing it on March 3, is a provocation to Bulgarian national memory and to Bulgarian statehood. That is why I am categorically against exactly this change.”
This was stated by the Bulgarian MEP Sergey Stanishev in the “Offensive” program of Novanews. In his words, the declarative insertion of texts that education and enlightenment should be a national priority is not enough. “It is in the hands of the government and the legislators. Because you can write the most beautiful and wishful texts in the Constitution, but 50% of the students are functionally illiterate. From dozens of Bulgarian schools, students go out with pairs to the graduation exams in Bulgarian language and literature. This is the real problem, and no text in the Constitution will solve it.”
“Researches show that Bulgarian society accepts March 3 as a national holiday. Tens of thousands climb Shipka every year. That is why I would like to call for active civil resistance to its change. Because you know the saying, “While the wise are wise, the mad is mad.” There should be civil positions and actions, why not a collection of signatures, in order to protect the Bulgarian national identity. Apart from everything else, hundreds of thousands of Bulgarian militiamen died in the Russo-Turkish War of Liberation. With such proposals and actions, we humiliate ourselves, we humiliate the Bulgarian people. We must take into account that the Russian Empire has freed us and not forget that it does not put obstacles in front of the Bulgarian Grand National Assembly to adopt one of the most democratic Constitutions of that time, following the example of the Belgian one,” Stanishev recalled.
Regarding the other proposals for changes in the Constitution, the MEP stated that nowhere in the current Constitution is it written that the Prosecutor’s Office is a pyramidal structure with such a role of the chief prosecutor – this is a matter of legislative changes. “Obviously, there is a strengthening of the role of the Minister of Justice and the ruling majority in the formation of the prosecutor’s quota, which leads to political dependence. We saw that even with the removal of Ivan Geshev, the direct connection between politicians and the SJC was evident. This will now perhaps be anchored in the Constitution. And the majority think that in this way they will guarantee themselves lasting influence. But history always makes fun of such attempts.”
“The changes related to the caretaker government are also conjunctural and are due to the relationship between the current majority and the president, who has nearly 3 years left in his term. You have to stick to the facts. We have had quite a few caretaker governments since the beginning of the transition and not one has been a failure. On the contrary, many of these governments saved the country from severe crises, such as the caretaker government of Sofianski during extremely sharp confrontation and the risk of civil clashes, not to mention war. What does President Radev blame the politicians for not being able to create a stable government for two years. The head of state in the given case fulfills his duties. According to the Constitution, the mandate of an interim government is about 3 months, and the fact that there were 5 early elections – who is to blame – Radev or the political forces and their inability to appoint a regular cabinet? They finally formed a government, and now we hardly have to thank them. This is ridiculous,” Stanishev is categorical.
When asked by host Lubo Ognyanov about the annual meeting of Buzludzha and the role of the BSP, Stanishev expressed concern that instead of being the main alternative and a strong opposition, polls continue to show only about 9% support for the socialists among voters. “BSP cannot find its face and too much resembles “Vazrazhdane”, which, however, are more authentic on this ground. I have been to Buzludzha dozens of times, and when I looked at photos from 2018 and from today, a huge outpouring of voters and sympathizers is clearly visible. This is very demotivating for the Bulgarian socialists and the responsibility lies with the current leadership.”
Regarding the behavior of Bulgaria and the export of weapons to Ukraine, Stanishev commented that our country, as a member of the EU and NATO, must participate in solidarity in providing aid, but we must also take into account our specific geopolitical situation, as well as history. “And a bad peace is better than any war. The sooner this war is ended through negotiation and agreement, the better.”
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