site.btaFourth No-Confidence Vote Planned over "Waste Crisis", Minister Dismisses Move as Populist Stunt

The populist party Velichie announced plans to file a fourth motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov’s government next week, this time accusing it of failing to address Bulgaria’s deepening "environmental crisis". But even before the third no-confidence vote - focused on fiscal policy and scheduled for Friday - has taken place, the move was promptly dismissed by Environment Minister Manol Genov as a sign that its sponsors don't believe in their own motions.

“Populist parties don’t believe in their own actions: the third no-confidence vote hasn’t even been held yet, and they’re already submitting a new one,” Genov said on Thursday. “That means they’re quite sure their motions are completely groundless and won’t pass.”

Velichie’s leader Ivelin Mihaylov described the country as being suffocated by over 60,000 illegal landfills that are “bubbling and rotting in 40-degree heat,” accusing the government of six months of inaction. “That means this government is incompetent,” he said, pledging to proceed with the fourth vote if the fiscal motion fails.

The new no-confidence initiative is backed by fellow opposition parties Vazrazhdane and MECh. Mihaylov said it was part of a mutual agreement among the parties: “As we signed their motion, they signed ours.”

Minister Genov, meanwhile, defended his record, stating that illegal dumping has plagued the country for over two decades. “One of my first tasks as minister was tackling illegal dumpsites,” he said, pointing to increased penalties, broadened powers for local mayors, and proposed legislation - including vehicle confiscation - to crack down on violators.

He also criticized what he sees as political opportunism behind the motion. 

Genov concluded that no policy would succeed without a shift in public behavior: “If there’s no change in citizens’ mindset, I don’t see how anyone could fully solve this issue.”