site.btaInitiative Committee Issues Declaration to Recruit Founding Members for New Political Party

A declaration was issued on Thursday to potential supporters on behalf of an initiative committee that is launching a petition to recruit founding members for the Alliance for Rights and Freedoms (ARF). The text states that the Founding Declaration was adopted by an Initiative Committee formed in accordance with the Political Parties Act at a regular meeting held in Sofia on Thursday.

The Initiative Committee will announce the date of the Founding Assembly within the statutory time frame of three months for the establishment of a new political party.

The text states that we are witnessing a retreat from democracy, a division of society, the collapse of statehood, and the establishment of a state-oligarchic model. It reads: "Bulgaria is in the grip of corruption, institutions are being used as 'bludgeons' against political opponents. Justice, the rule of law and a dignified life are becoming a mirage. [...] Our civilizational choice of the values of liberal democracy is far from being perceived as a strategic imperative of civil society and the state. There are calls for a review of our membership in NATO and the EU, which are not a matter of a different ‘point of view’ but a signal of public attitudes that should not be ignored, if we care about the future of Bulgaria."

The main objectives of the party, as stated in the declaration, are:

• Achieving understanding, unity and equality among Bulgarian citizens by forming a consistent and unifying national policy that respects the rights and freedoms of all Bulgarian citizens.
• Establishing legal and social guarantees to prevent ethnic and religious hatred and discrimination; ensuring equal rights, freedoms and social security for all communities.
• Economic prosperity and sustainable development of all regions and municipalities in the country and overcoming disparities between different regions.

In foreign policy, the party advocates:

• Strengthening Bulgaria's authority in the world, based on mutually beneficial cooperation and common security in the region and globally.
• Full membership of the Republic of Bulgaria in European and Euro-Atlantic structures.

The party's goals include:

• Taking measures to boost employment and increase incomes.
• Creating a predictable and stable environment for the development of investors and entrepreneurs.
• Creating suitable conditions and incentives for the development of high technologies.
• Improving access to quality education and healthcare.