/ world today news/ The solid governing coalition in the 43rd National Assembly consists of two parties – GERB and DPS. This is the dirty secret of this parliament – the Reform Bloc, Patriotic Front and ABV are the fig leaf of this shameful coalition.
This was stated by the independent MP Velizar Enchev.
According to Velizar Enchev, DPS is the spare fifth wheel of the Quadruple Coalition, formed by GERB, RB, PF and ABV. Velizar Enchev repeated his thesis that this is a parliament of the substituted vote, since each of the political forces in the government lied to their voters. Borisov lied with his oaths that he would not rule with less than 100 deputies, while Meglena Kuneva lied that she would not rule with the criminal transition party GERB, Enchev pointed out. The Patriotic Front has also never said that it will form a coalition with GERB and the other parties in the coalition, he emphasized.
“There is nothing reformist in the Reform Bloc, nothing patriotic in the Patriotic Front, and ABV have forgotten basic truths of political morality,” said Velizar Enchev. However, the leaders of ABV proved to be the most outspoken, as they at least did not hide their close ties with Borisov, he pointed out, as in his words “ABV is a political project of GERB”. Enchev pointed out that it will be very interesting how the individual coalition partners will behave in certain situations. ABV is an openly Russophile party in terms of energy projects – it is in favor of “South Stream”, while RB and PF are against it, Enchev recalled. It is interesting how the PF will behave regarding the increase in electricity prices, since the two leaders of the coalition, Valery Simeonov and Krasimir Karakachanov, have announced that the price should even be reduced, he pointed out.
Velizar Enchev commented that the covert but real coalition between GERB and DPS has a very serious motive for its creation – probably support from DPS for the presidential candidacy of Boyko Borisov was agreed, and in addition, from the foreign policy point of view GERB wins because it can talk about something positive attitude of minorities towards themselves.
Despite the great contradictions, this parliament has the resources to last even its full mandate, Enchev believes. “The contradictions between the political forces are so great that to a certain extent they attract each other, as they realize that in new special elections, two entities – ABV and PF – will most likely not enter. The possibility of electoral failure is holding this coalition,” he commented. Enchev suggested that GERB is also under no illusions that in new elections there will be more than 80 people’s representatives.
Regarding the changed behavior of Boyko Borisov compared to his first term as Prime Minister, Velizar Enchev said that the change is only external. “Outwardly, it can be said that Borisov no longer annoys the citizens with his constant appearances on television, cutting ribbons and reading morals. But this is only an external aspect – Boyko Borisov is the same and there is no change in him.” Enchev was categorical. He also said that the lack of real change is proven by Borisov’s inadequate reaction regarding the South Stream project. Instead of immediately contacting the Russian side, he flew to Brussels to discuss his position, Enchev recalled.
The failure of “South Stream” fully serves the interests of Turkey, which becomes the center that will decide the supply of gas to the European Union, instead of this role being performed by Bulgaria, the MP analyzed. Borisov is a very weak or very dependent politician, Enchev is categorical. According to him, the failure of “South Stream” is an extraordinary success of the American lobby and for American geopolitical interests, which managed to break the EU and make it abandon an extremely important project for the Union.
Velizar Enchev drew attention to another emphasis – the increasingly strong partnership between Russia and Turkey, which according to prominent historians such as Acad. Georgi Markov, historically, when Russia and Turkey shake hands, it is not good for Turkey’s border countries. Bulgaria is on the periphery of Turkey’s interests, especially when it comes to the Turkish minorities in the Balkans. “Everyone thinks so, but few say it – God forbid in a critical geopolitical situation, if we judge by the statements of the Russian head of state, we lose a powerful military partner who could give us a hand if protests are stimulated in the so-called mixed areas “said Velizar Enchev.
In this regard, he recalled the so-called color revolutions that have brought flourishing countries such as Tunisia, Libya and parts of Egypt to chaos and ruin. “This was a coordinated action by the CIA and the headquarters in London and Paris,” emphasized Enchev, after which he also touched on the bloody attack in Paris on January 7. “The roots of the drama from Paris should be sought precisely in these European capitals and in Washington,” declared Enchev. According to him, everything that is happening has its roots in the inadequate policy of the West after the fall of the Berlin Wall. “Instead of joining hands with the Russian Federation in order to solve in the bud the issue of rising Islamic fundamentalism, for which the United States bears a huge fault with the creation of the Mujahideen movement in Afghanistan, a new war has started,” said Enchev. This war has led to the overthrow of secular regimes that controlled fundamentalism.
To top it all off, the West financed and organized all the mercenaries who started a war against the legitimate president of Syria, Bashar al-Assad, and this led to the creation of the Islamic State, Enchev said. According to him, if it had not been for the adequate intervention of Vladimir Putin, who prevented the military invasion of the West in Syria, now the Islamic State would have completely controlled Syria and Iraq.
Regarding the Bulgarian policy towards the situation in the Middle East and the threat of the Islamic State, first of all we must make an agreement that we are members of the European Union and NATO and whether we like it or not, we must not forget this fact, urged the independent MP. Another question is how we protect our interests within these two organizations, he pointed out. According to him, we fail to protect our interests in NATO, and a simple proof of this is that Greece received as a donation 350 machines to rearm its ground forces, while we have been negotiating for years for the purchase of fighter jets worth 1 billion . leva. This is probably also due to the fact that corruption in the Ministry of War implies deals, not donations, regretted Velizar Enchev.
“When we talk about redefining Bulgaria’s policy in view of the situation in the Middle East and especially the danger from the Islamic State, we are completely helpless. We cannot build even one fence along the entire border with our own resources,” said Enchev and emphasized that we do not receive and have not even asked for support from NATO, and are even criticized for our attempts to build such a facility, although a similar one exists between Turkey and Greece. It has been officially announced that we expect a refugee wave of 200,000 people, and we continue to comply with non-governmental organizations for human rights, said Enchev.
Regarding the dispute over whether the army should be involved in guarding the border, Enchev pointed out that the dispute is pointless, since it is written in the Law on the Armed Forces that the army guards the external borders, territorial integrity and independence of the country. According to Enchev, the position of President Plevneliev and Boyko Borisov’s opinion that the army should not be involved in security show that our country is governed by politicians who are inadequate and dependent on outsiders.
Regarding the challenges facing Bulgaria internally, Velizar Enchev defined the huge loan of 8.1 billion. leva as the biggest problem in 2015. With such a loan, it was necessary for the Minister of Finance to explain very clearly and separately how the money will be spent, because the country’s liabilities reach 30% of GDP, which is critical, said Enchev. He paid serious attention to the government’s rehabilitation program and recalled that months ago the leaders of the PF Simeonov and Karakachanov indicated that if it were to be implemented, they would withdraw their support from the government, since, according to them, nearly 1 billion BGN will sink into construction companies close to the government. The issue of what happens to those citizens who have already rehabilitated their homes, as well as by what criteria the rehabilitation will be carried out, has not been reported, he said.
In the background of all this comes the news from a few days ago that 80 railway lines will be closed because the BDZ budget has been reduced from 180 to 140 million. leva, sorry Velizar Enchev. In 2015, a total of 200 lines are planned to be liquidated and this is done with one goal – quick privatization of the ruined passenger transports and the profitable freight transports of BDZ, said Enchev. This is also entirely in the interest of Turkey and future privatizers, who will gain a lot after the launch of the tunnel under the Bosphorus. All over the world, railway transport is leading, but in our country the exact opposite is happening, and it is against the background of the depopulation of entire regions, the deputy pointed out. The loans of billions of BGN should go to additional financing of problem industries and to strengthen light industry and jobs in the country, he was categorical.
In connection with the late-night adoption of the Law on the State Budget of Bulgaria for 2015, Enchev criticized the BSP’s decision to leave the hall and announced that it was a mistake. In addition, Velizar Enchev plans to propose changes to the rules of procedure of the parliament, which would not allow the deputies to work more than 8 hours when adopting laws. Such conditions exist for other professions, and it is not normal for people, on whom the fate of the whole society depends, to adopt laws extremely tired and without any idea what exactly they are voting for, announced Enchev.
Regarding his departure from the group of the Patriotic Front, Velizar Enchev announced that he did not consider his act heroic, but a duty. “The threshold of heroism is very low in Bulgaria. Heroism is considered something that was normal and mandatory. It was normal and mandatory for me to leave the group, because I cannot betray my promises and what I have done on air every night. My behavior is a duty, not heroism,” he was categorical. According to him, unfortunately in our country the norm is an exception.
Velizar Enchev warned that in the near future the issue of mandatory voting will probably become relevant again. He announced that he was “for” this measure, but under two conditions – a change in the funding model for the parties, which now receive BGN 11 for each vote received, and the abolition of dual citizenship. Behind this tempting offer hide predatory financial interests, because under the current scheme, compulsory voting will lead to enormous enrichment of all parties that won more than 1% in elections.
When asked if he has the ambition and enough like-minded and experienced people with whom to form a new political project, Velizar Enchev replied that such a project is needed, but there are enormous difficulties ahead of him. According to him, “party” is a dirty word in Bulgaria because of the current practice of forming and promoting political projects. “There is a need for a new project, but whatever you do depends on its financing,” said Enchev. When you commit to financing, you become dependent, and any dependence in a country with a criminal transition and all values trampled is equal to destruction. “If a new project is to be made, and it must be, it must be financed by the citizens of Bulgaria – it must be supported in a totally transparent manner. It must be known who is helping with what – the rich with money, the poor with labor. It must be a counterpoint to the previous practice”, said Velizar Enchev categorically.
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How does Enchev’s perspective on the “color revolutions” align with broader theories of democratization and foreign interference, and what implications does this have for understanding political change in Eastern Europe?
## Velizar Enchev Interview: Thematic Breakdown & Open-Ended Questions
This interview with Velizar Enchev touches upon a vast range of topics related to Bulgarian politics and social issues. We can divide the interview into the following thematic sections:
**1. Borisov’s Leadership and the “South Stream” Failure:**
* **Questions:**
* Do you believe Borisov’s actions regarding the “South Stream” project were truly a failure, or were there other factors at play?
* Enchev mentions the “American lobby” and geopolitical interests. How much influence do you think external actors have on Bulgarian politics, and is this inherently negative?
* Enchev criticizes Borisov for his inadequate response. What kind of response would have been more appropriate, and what could Bulgaria have gained from pursuing a different strategy?
**2. Bulgaria’s Geopolitical Position and Relations with Russia and Turkey:**
* **Questions:**
* What are the potential implications of the strengthening partnership between Russia and Turkey for Bulgaria? Are there potential benefits alongside the risks Enchev highlights?
* Enchev expresses concern about the vulnerability of Bulgarian minorities in Turkey. What steps can Bulgaria take to protect its citizens abroad and ensure their safety?
* Enchev connects the “color revolutions” to efforts by Western powers. Do you agree with this analysis? How can we understand these events in a broader geopolitical context?
**3. Bulgaria’s Role in the Middle East and Islamic State:**
* **Questions:**
* Enchev criticizes Bulgaria’s role within NATO, stating they are “completely helpless” in the face of threats. What concrete steps could Bulgaria take to strengthen its position within the alliance and contribute more effectively to regional stability?
* What are your thoughts on Enchev’s proposal to build a fence along Bulgaria’s border? Is this a viable solution to managing the refugee crisis while upholding human rights?
**4. Domestic Challenges: Economy, Corruption, and Political Reform:**
* **Questions:**
* Enchev criticizes Bulgaria’s high national debt and spending on infrastructure projects. What would be a more responsible approach to managing the country’s finances?
* Enchev criticizes the privatization of railway lines. How can Bulgaria balance the need for economic efficiency with ensuring accessible and sustainable public transportation for all citizens?
* Do you agree with Enchev’s assessment of the Bulgarian parliament and his proposed changes to its rules? How can transparency and accountability be enhanced within the political system?
* **5. Enchev’s Departure from the Patriotic Front and the Future of Bulgarian Politics:**
* **Questions:**
* What motivated Enchev’s departure from the Patriotic Front? What doesthis suggest about the current state of Bulgarian political parties?
* Enchev expresses support for mandatory voting, but with conditions. Is this a viable solution to increase political participation? What are the potential drawbacks of mandatory voting?
* Does Bulgaria need a new political project? What would it take for such a project to succeed given the current political climate and mistrust in traditional parties?
These open-ended questions are designed to encourage thoughtful discussion and critical thinking about the complex issues raised in the interview. They invite multiple perspectives and encourage readers to engage with the issues discussed in a more nuanced and comprehensive manner.
