site.btaUPDATED Renew Europe Vows Support for MEP Ilhan Kyuchyuk as Possible EPPO Probe Looms

Renew Europe Tuesday expressed strong support for Ilhan Kyuchyuk and others in Bulgaria defending democracy against coercion and intimidation, to use their word. They held a news conference in Strasbourg to announce their position, following the European Public Prosecutor’s Office request to lift Kyuchyuk’s parliamentary immunity. "We condemn the move by the Bulgarian authorities as politically motivated and directed against a principled and credible opposition figure," Renew Europe group Chair Valerie Hayer said during the news conference. 

The request, announced by European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, will be forwarded to the Committee on Legal Affairs. Kyuchyuk serves as chair of the Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee.

Renew Europe highlighted its concern that the move targeted a principled opposition figure and emphasized Kyuchyuk’s political courage and integrity, noting his refusal to legitimize the takeover of his party, Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF), by Delyan Peevski and his separation from a party structure influenced by oligarchic interests. It apparently referred to Peevski's MRF - New Beginning. "Our colleague showed political courage and full integrity when he refused to legitimize the takeover of the MRF by Delyan Peevski. By publicly breaking with a party structure, captured by oligarchic interests, he knowingly paid a political price. Those who stood with him were sidelined, leaving no doubt about the nature of the pressure exerted. This is the context of current proceedings," said Hayer.

Renew Europe framed the situation of Kyuchyuk as part of a broader pattern of institutional abuse and selective pressure aimed at silencing critics of established power in Bulgaria. The timing and methods of the request were seen as deliberate. "At a time when Bulgarian citizens have taken to the streets to protest corruption, state capture and governance failures, this case sends a deeply troubling signal," according to Hayer. 

In conclusion, she said that Renew Europe "will not be intimidated". "Democratic institutions exist to protect pluralism, not to serve political retaliation. We stand firmly with Ilhan Kyuchyuk and with all those in Bulgaria who continue to defend democracy against capture and intimidation."