site.btaVazrazhdane Leaves Plenary to Join Protesters Opposing Euro Changeover

It is time to go out and hear what the Bulgarian people have to say, said the parliamentary group of Vazrazhdane in a declaration read Wednesday by its leader Kostadin Kostadinov from the rostrum of the National Assembly. Following the declaration, MPs from Vazrazhdane exited the plenary chamber.

Later in the day, the European Commission (EC) and the European Central Bank (ECB) will present reports with their assessments on Bulgaria's readiness to join the euro area. On the eve of the announcement of the data from the reports, leading Bulgarian politicians and experts expressed expectations for a positive assessment.

On Wednesday morning, supporters of Bulgaria's Vazrazhdane party have gathered in front of the Parliament building to defend the Bulgarian lev and call for a referendum on the adoption of the euro. Shouting "murderers" and "resignation", they have blocked traffic on one of Sofia's central boulevards.

Kostadinov emphasized that outside Parliament, there are Bulgarians who wish to be heard, citizens demanding that the Bulgarian National Assembly act in the interest of Bulgaria. According to him, the Bulgarian people are saying "yes" to the lev and "no" to the euro, and insist on being consulted. "They are asking for freedom, independence, and democracy," Kostadinov said. 

While Kostadinov was reading the declaration, members of his parliamentary group held up posters from their seats reading "Ask the people first." At the same time, MPs, mainly from Movement for Rights and Freedoms – New Beginning and Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria, left the chamber.

At the beginning of his address, Kostadinov quoted from the stenographic record of a parliamentary session held on December 13, 1941, when then-prime minister Bogdan Filov delivered a speech regarding Bulgaria’s position during World War II and the Tripartite Pact. At that time, he noted, the opposition was ignored when requesting to speak.

Strangely enough, history seems to be repeating itself, Kostadinov said. "Once again, we are witnessing how part of the Bulgarian Parliament declares war on the Bulgarian people, as the fascists did in 1941, speaking once more of obligations stemming from a signed treaty," he added. Vazrazhdane leader drew a parallel with present-day commitments under the 2005 EU Accession Treaty.

"After 1944, those who shouted 'hurrah' in Parliament were prosecuted for treason. A similar act is taking place now through the imposition of a foreign currency and the destruction of Bulgaria’s financial independence," Kostadinov concluded.