site.btaUPDATED Continue the Change Chair Says 80% of Bulgarians Want This Government to Resign

Continue the Change Chair Assen Vassilev told reporters in Parliament on Thursday that 80% of the Bulgarian electorate, including people who have voted for There Is Such a People and the BSP - United Left, demand this government's resignation. These two political formations are currently a part of the ruling coalition together with GERB-UDF. He added that if the people are left ignored, then even more massive protests will follow.

Commenting on the sixth no-confidence motion against the Zhelyazkov cabinet, scheduled for Thursday afternoon, Vassilev stated: "I sincerely hope that today all MPs, who are to press the button at 1:30 p.m. to support the government or vote no confidence, will listen to the people who were in the square yesterday with one demand—resignation."

During its nearly twelve months in office, the Rosen Zhelyazkov Cabinet has so far survived five no-confidence votes: one initiated by Vazrazhdane for "failure in the foreign policy sector", a second one, submitted by MECh, for "failure in the fight against corruption", a third one, entered by Vazrazhdane over the "government's fiscal policy failure" and backed by Velichie and MECh, a fourth one, launched by Velichie and backed by MECh and Vazrazhdane, over a "failed policy in the environment and water sector", and a fifth one, proposed by Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria and MECh and co-signed by MPs of the Alliance for Rights and Freedoms, over a "persistent failure to maintain public order and security, ensure justice, and tackle the erosion of the institutions of State".

In order to succeed, a motion of no confidence must be supported by at least one-half plus one of all 240 MPs, i.e. 121 votes. The ruling majority together with MRF - New Beginning, have 131 seats altogether.

Vassilev believes that conducting new parliamentary elections is the way to secure a legitimate government, as he described the current one as completely illegitimate.

Asked about a potential political party established by President Rumen Radev, the MP said: "We pursue an anti-corruption policy that will make Bulgaria a rich, normal, European country. There is no way we can have joint governance with anyone who follows a third type of policy, BRICS, and there is no way we can have joint governance with such people because they want the country to go in a completely different direction."