site.btaContinue the Change Chair Vassilev: No New No-Confidence Vote Planned, Focus Shifts to Budget

Chair of Continue the Change (CC) Assen Vassilev said on Sunday that his party does not plan to initiate another vote of no confidence against the government.

Vassilev explained that the next major battle is over the state budget. He claimed preparations are already underway to raise taxes and funnel money from Bulgarian citizens into the coffers of MRF – New Beginning Leader Delyan Peevski. Vassilev said Peevski runs the State and “steals from the taxes of Bulgarian citizens.” Vassilev added that Peevski’s role in governance depends on intimidating others but insisted that his party refuses to be cowed.

Vassilev called the CC action to block the parliamentary parking a success, as it demonstrated that one person can allocate tax funds equal to a kindergarten's yearly budget for personal security. He questioned why the National Protection Service (NPS) provides this level of protection for a single MP, noting that even the Prime Minister, President, or Chair of the National Assembly do not receive comparable security. Vassilev expressed support for a legislative proposal from Democratic Bulgaria (DB) and Vazrazhdane to eliminate MP’s eligibility for NPS security.

The period for discussion has ended; we are shifting to radical measures and direct action, Vassilev said. When asked for further details, he responded, “You will see what happens; there is no need to notify the individuals targeted by our actions in advance.”

Vassilev said the government could affirm its independence by directing Minister of Justice Georgi Georgiev to convene the Supreme Judicial Council, assembling both the judges’ and prosecutors’ chambers to review the six-month timeframe specified in the Judiciary Act.

He observed that after this period, the Prosecutor General is no longer legitimate, and an interim appointment is required. Vassilev argued that judges comply with the six-month term and replace the President of the Supreme Administrative Court accordingly, while prosecutors maintain that this timeframe does not apply to them. He urged Georgiev, who supported the legislation before becoming minister, to convene the plenary session and clarify the intended application of the law, noting that “the sixth month has passed.”

Regarding the parliamentary committee’s proposal to transfer the authority to appoint agency heads from the President to parliament, Vassilev explained that the intention is to facilitate the appointment of the State Agency for National Security (SANS) director. He said that Peevski wants Denyo Denev to head SANS, but the President has not approved it, so efforts are being made to remove this power from the President.