site.btaUPDATED Parliament Should Not Even Consider Referendum Proposal on Euro, GERB Leader Says

Reacting to President Rumen Radev’s idea to table a proposal to the National Assembly for a referendum on Bulgaria’s adoption of the euro, GERB leader Boyko Borissov said that "the National Assembly should categorically reject – should not even consider – such a proposal, as it is unconstitutional, and there is already a Constitutional Court ruling on the matter". Borissov’s statement, delivered from the party headquarters, was broadcast live on Facebook.

"This issue was settled long ago through an international treaty, in which we agreed to introduce the euro," Borissov said.

"The Eurozone is the area where member states operate in the 'fast lane' – the most developed countries. When we signed the international treaty, we agreed to adopt the euro," the GERB leader added.

According to Borissov, "this is where President Radev’s game with the date comes in". "On the one hand, he aims to appear supportive of the Eurozone, but on the other, he wants to play on people’s fears, toy with political parties that have previously proposed similar referendums, and thirdly – to fracture the ruling majority," Borissov said.

The GERB leader made a public appeal to the democratic community and all parties that support Bulgaria’s European path and integration, echoing the call of Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria (CC–DB) MP Kiril Petkov: "Let us be in the heart of Europe". "The Eurozone is the heart of Europe – it includes France, Germany, Italy, the most developed countries. And we want to be there," said Borissov, adding that Bulgaria should not remain on the periphery, but be where the decisions are made.

Borissov emphasized that while the opinion of the people is respected, that moment comes "before joining the EU, before signing on to the euro, before requesting a convergence report – not at the end of the process".

"That is why I call on my colleagues from CC-DB, from all parties, from the Movement for Rights and Freedoms – New Beginning, and from the Alliance for Rights and Freedoms coalition (*the coalition behind the Democracy, Rights and Freedoms parliamentary group), as well as the parties in the ruling coalition, to stand united and reject this referendum if it is tabled to Parliament," he stressed.