site.btaEducation Minister Warns No-Confidence Vote Loses Weight as Political Tool Due to Overuse

Education and Science Minister Krasimir Valchev said the political impact of no-confidence votes was being eroded by overuse. Interviewed by the Bulgarian National Radio on Sunday, he commented on the third failed vote of no confidence in the Rosen Zhelyazkov Cabinet on July 4.

On July 3, when the third motion of no confidence was debated, the Velichie parliamentary group, supported by Vazrazhdane and MECh, moved for a fourth no-confidence vote against the Zhelyazkov government over what the party says is a "failure in the environment and water sector" 

Valchev said: "We are seeing an overuse of this tool." He stressed that the government is functioning well, but acknowledged the difficulties of operating as a minority government, which limit its capacity.

"Being a regular government, we have a duty to work with a longer-term perspective. We are obligated to pursue reforms and to implement change," Valchev added.

On July 4, Parliament voted 54-130, with zero abstentions, against a motion of no confidence in the government over its fiscal policy. The motion was backed by Vazrazhdane, MECh and Velichie. The votes against the motion came from GERB-UDF, MRF-New Beginning, BSP - United Left and There Is Such a People, as well as four unaffiliated MPs. Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria and Alliance for Rights and Freedoms did not participate in the vote. 

The two earlier no-confidence motions were submitted by Vazrazhdane over its foreign policy and by MECh for "failure in the fight against corruption".