site.btaContinue the Change Leader Says CC-DB Coalition Is United and If Rumen Radev Wants, He Can Support It

Continue the Change (CC) leader Assen Vassilev said in response to a journalist's question that the Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) coalition is united and what has always mattered and continues to matter is the direction Bulgaria will take, and if former president Rumen Radev wants to support the coalition, he can do that. Vassilev was speaking on Tuesday on the sidelines of the Sofia Economic Forum VI, held at Sofia Balkan Palace.

Commenting on discussions about a caretaker prime minister, Vassilev said this is a matter for the people with whom President Iliana Iotova will hold consultations, adding that at this stage political parties should not interfere in the process.

Regarding the date of early parliamentary elections, Vassilev said it depends on the president’s decision. In his view, it is more likely that elections will be held in April rather than on March 29, given the school holiday around Easter. He stressed that there is no intentional delay in the procedure.

According to Vassilev, talks with partners from DB focus on a shared vision for the country’s future. After Bulgaria’s accession to Schengen and the euro area, he said, it must be clearly defined what kind of country and what kind of Europe Bulgarians want to live in. Within the coalition, there is a clear consensus around the idea of a strong Bulgaria in a strong Europe and a unified army capable of self-defence, which he described as the best way to ensure national security.

Asked whether governance involving GERB and Rumen Radev is possible for CC after GERB representatives said "everything is possible", Vassilev replied negatively, saying such an option is not on the agenda. The party leader dismissed claims of an internal "purge" linked to Kiril Petkov and Lena Borislavova.

He said Kiril Petkov stepped down as party leader by personal choice and announced his withdrawal from politics, a decision Vassilev said he is honouring. As for Lena Borislavova, Vassilev said she herself asked not to be included on candidate lists, while remaining a member of CC’s National Council.

Vassilev added that decisions on candidate lists will be taken in about two to three weeks, following negotiations with DB. He said talks are also under way with representatives of protest movements and youth organizations about inclusion on the lists, expressing expectations that the coalition will present "strong lists".

He confirmed the position that Yavor Bozhankov and Daniel Lorer should not be included on the CC-DB coalition lists, noting that this decision was taken by the National Council more than a year ago, when the two supported the formation of the Zhelyazkov government.

Responding to a question about the postponed ratification of Bulgaria’s participation in Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, Vassilev said it was a mistake to sign such an agreement without prior public debate and without parliamentary approval. In his words, once the first step was wrong, subsequent actions cannot be right.