site.btaMP Mirchev Urges Deputy PM Zafirov to Resign Following China Visit

Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov must resign because of his visit to China, Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria MP Ivaylo Mirchev said on Wednesday. He added that the Prime Minister should ask for Zafirov's resignation himself "if does not want this humiliation to continue".

At a time when Bulgaria is swearing everywhere that it is looking to the West, there is no option for a Bulgarian deputy prime minister representing the country to attend such an event in China, Mirchev added. 

Bulgarian Socialist Party Chair Atanas Zafirov and his delegation attended the military parade in Beijing marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. During the celebrations, he held talks with Chinese President and Communist Party of China General Secretary Xi Jinping, the Bulgarian Socialist Party said in a press release here on Tuesday. The delegation's visit was at the invitation of the Communist Party of China. 

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov distanced himself and the Government from the ongoing visit to China of Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov and Regional Development Minister Ivan Ivanov. Speaking to reporters in the Black Sea city of Burgas, he said the visit is "a party initiative and the Government is not involved".