site.btaMRF–New Beginning Leader Calls No-Confidence Motion "Pointless Exercise, Waste of Time"

Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) Chair and MRF–New Beginning Floor Leader Delyan Peevski described the no-confidence motion against the Cabinet of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov as “a pointless exercise and a waste of time.” On Wednesday, Parliament started debating the fifth motion of no confidence in the government over alleged failure of internal order and security, justice, and state capture. 

The motion was submitted on September 12 by Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria (CC–DB) and Morality, Unity, Honour (MECH), who accuse the government of a systematic failure in maintaining public order and security, ensuring justice, and tackling the erosion of state institutions. The motion is co-signed by MPs from the Alliance for Rights and Freedoms. Though not among the initiators, parties Vazrazhdane and Velichie have signaled their intention to support the motion in plenary.

“I told them that there are three years and a few months left until the end of the [Rosen Zhelyazkov Cabinet's] term. They [CC-DB] should stop exercising themselves and start thinking about how to help people,” Peevski said.

According to him, “those who plundered the state for nearly five years have no shame bringing forward a no-confidence motion on such topics.” “The dark times of bundles of cash, poodles, interior ministers, and the dragging of political leaders are over – and I am the guarantor of that,” Peevski added.

The Zhelyazkov Government has survived four previous no-confidence votes. The first one was for failure in the foreign policy sector initiated by Vazrazhdane, backed by Velichie and MECH. It was followed by one for failure in the fight against corruption initiated by MECH, supported by Velichie and Vazrazhdane. The next one was for failure in the area of fiscal policy submitted by Vazrazhdane, with support from MECH and Velichie. The fourth was for failure in the environment and water sector initiated by Velichie, supported by MECH and Vazrazhdane, and additionally backed in plenary by CC, one Yes, Bulgaria (part of Democratic Bulgaria) leader, and MPs from the Alliance for Rights and Freedoms.

Despite these repeated challenges, all four no-confidence votes have failed to bring down the government.