site.btaContinue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria Urges Deputy PM Zafirov to Resign over China Visit

In a declaration read out in Parliament Thursday, Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria (CC–DB) demanded  the resignation of Atanas Zafirov as Deputy Prime Minister in connection with his presence at the military parade in Beijing on September 3, which was also attended by the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The declaration was read from the parliamentary rostrum by MP Elisaveta Belobradova from WCC–DB.

Zafirov headed a Socialist party delegation on an official visit to China. The delegation also included Regional Development Minister Ivan Ivanov.

A call for Zafirov to come down first came on Wednesday:  Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria MP Ivaylo Mirchev said the Prime Minister should ask for Zafirov's resignation himself "if does not want this humiliation to continue".

"We are outraged by the total lack of principle shown by Atanas Zafirov: as a member of the government, as a representative of the state, as a public figure, and even as a Bulgarian. If he allows himself, in a personal capacity, to adopt an anti-Bulgarian and anti-Western position, that must remain strictly personal, and not implicate our country. That is why we are demanding his resignation as Deputy Prime Minister in connection with his visit to China," said Belobradova.

Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov has distanced himself and the government from the Socialists' visit and said he heard about it when all other Bulgarians did, and that Zaafirov and Ivanov were on leave for the duration of the trip to China. 

"Even if the Prime Minister had not been previously informed about the circumstances surrounding Zafirov’s attendance at the parade, the very fact that another cabinet member — Mr. Ivan Ivanov — was also present at the events in China requires a clear assumption of responsibility, CC–DB stated.

"If Rosen Zhelyazkov and GERB do not express a clear position, we can rightfully assume that this reflects the official policy of the cabinet, for which they bear full responsibility. If GERB continues to justify and defend Mr. Zafirov, their political and geopolitical position will be shameful and condemnable, but above all, completely unprincipled," Belobradova said.

Belobradova also commented that serious confusion has emerged as all official Chinese media report that Bulgaria had confirmed its participation and that the Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister was part of an official state delegation.

"This government persistently demonstrates to citizens and to the international community that Bulgaria has no national interest. The only guiding principle is to kiss the hand of any international actor who offers it — without discernment, without prioritization. The representatives of this government are not selective; they go wherever they are invited," CC–DB further commented.