site.btaVazrazhdane to Hold Referendum on Establishing Immigration Detention Centres

Vazrazhdane Floor Leader Kostadin Kostadinov stated in a declaration from the parliamentary podium Friday that they will hold a referendum at the Sredets, Burgas Region and Simeonovgrad, Haskovo Region on establishing immigration detention centres.

He added that this follows a former Zhelyazkov cabinet decree in which the Bulgaria allows parts of its territory to be used for the construction of two large immigration centres. "As a country that is part of the Pact on Migration and Asylum at EU level and as an outer border of the Schengen area, Bulgaria is obligated to establish at least two centres. It is possible that one already exists in Vetovo, Ruse Region, which is to be confirmed," said Kostadinov.

''We will hold referendums in both municipalities – Sredets and Simeonovgrad, so that the citizens can express their opinion," the Vazrazhdane Floor Leader said. He continued that after the referendums they will put the issue forward for debate at Parliament.

Kostadinov pointed out that the central parts of Sofia city "already look like an open immigration centre", which Vazrazhdane had warned against. He concluded that this is a decree from the former cabinet, but it could easily be dismissed by the new one.