site.btaTISP Call for Removal of Agriculture Minister

There Is Such a People (TISP) are calling for the removal of caretaker Agriculture and Food Minister Ivan Hristanov over recruitments he has made. Deputy floor leader Stanislav Balabanov read out a declaration with their demands in Parliament, accusing Hristanov of conflicts of interest, political favoritism, and questionable appointments in a parliamentary declaration.

Speaking from the rostrum, claimed that while serving as deputy minister in 2021, Hristanov had strong private interests in food production and laboratory testing, allegedly motivating efforts to shut down a competing pesticide lab near the Turkish border. Balabanov also criticized Hristanov’s appointment of Angel Mavrovski as head of the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency, pointing to potential conflicts of interest linked to Mavrovski’s private companies and alleged irregularities during his previous tenure. According to Balabanov, Hristanov has since focused on placing party affiliates and close associates in senior state positions. Another appointment targeted by TISP is Ivana Murdzheva, Hristanov's pick for Deputy Minister.

"Either he disproves this information with documents, or he must resign immediately together with Hristanov,” Balabanov said.

He urged President Iliana Iotova to demand Hristanov's resignation.