site.btaGERB Achieved Its Goals in Government, Says Party Leader Borissov Amid Protests

GERB has fulfilled the objectives it set upon entering the government, party leader Boyko Borissov told reporters on Wednesday, responding to questions in Parliament regarding the recent wave of protests and more upcoming demonstrations.

“We have already completed what we entered this government to accomplish – all our goals were met. Now, regarding the Recovery Plan – let the people decide,” Borissov said, signalling GERB’s readiness to take a step back if public sentiment demands it.

“If I say I support elections, they’ll immediately remind me that only [MRF – New Beginning Floor Leader Delyan] Peevski was calling for elections. But if this continues, perhaps it’s best to vote again,” he added, alluding to the possibility of early elections. “With the achievements this government has delivered, I don’t see a reason to topple it. But if they want to bring it down – go ahead.”

Borissov emphasized that a few final steps remained to secure several billion euros in EU funds for Bulgaria. “It would be dangerous for Bulgaria to enter the Eurozone under a caretaker government,” he warned, referencing ongoing political tension. “Tonight’s protest is precisely about that – to create instability, to incite chaos, because some cannot stand the rising investment interest in Bulgaria.”

Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev was arrested earlier in July after a corruption tipoff from a failed public procurement tenderer. The arrest caused an outrage and protests in Varna and Sofia. CC said Tuesday that protests in support of Kotsev and against the abuse of power by the prosecuting magistracy in Bulgaria will be held in four European cities: London (outside the Bulgarian Embassy), Brussels (outside the European Parliament), Berlin (at the Bulgarian Embassy) and Munich (at Rindermarkt). The rallies are being organized by Bulgarians living there via the social media, for July 16. A new protest is also scheduled in Sofia for Wednesday evening.

Borissov commented on past legal actions against GERB mayors under then-Interior Minister Boyko Rashkov of CC, saying: “I don’t seek revenge — life is taking care of that. Their own people filed the complaints, not us.” He denied knowing Plamenka Dimitrova, the whistle-blower who filed the report against Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev.

When asked about the government’s performance on inflation and pricing, particularly in light of criticism from the Vazrazhdane party, Borissov responded: “If the opposition wants to play its role responsibly, let them tell us what can be improved – we’ll improve it. Instead, they come out, throw accusations, and disappear”.

He cited a recent EU evaluation as evidence of the government’s effective work: “Yesterday, Bulgaria was praised for turning around a completely lost recovery plan and executing it excellently. When was the last time we heard praise for Bulgaria from Brussels or Strasbourg?” Borissov highlighted that the country is on track to recover 4.4 billion BGN in EU funding previously considered lost due to inaction in recent years.