site.btaRadostin Vasilev of MECh Presents Reasoning

The no-confidence motion was submitted on September 12 by Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria (CC–DB) and Morality, Unity, Honour (MECh), who accuse the government of a systematic failure in maintaining public order and security, ensuring justice, and tackling the erosion of state institutions. The motion is co-signed by MPs from the Alliance for Rights and Freedoms. Though not among the initiators, parties Vazrazhdane and Velichie have signaled their intention to support the motion in plenary.

As Parliament started debating Wednesday a no-confidence motion against the Cabinet of Rosen Zhelyazkov over perceived failures in two sectors: internal order and security, MECh leader Radostin Vasilev presented the reasoning for the motion. He said that this failure "has led to capture of the State, in which it is controlled by formal and informal structures and groups, some of which are openly mafia-like". 

"State capture is a problem of systemic corruption at the highest levels of power, through which institutions cease to function. This corruption is also tied to inaction within the Ministry of Interior and serves the interests of a small group of criminals," he pointed out. 

He went on to criticize Interior Minister Daniel Mitov for failing to act, lacking understanding of internal security matters, and being unwilling to take adequate measures to end criminal practices within his Ministry, as well as decisive actions to counter various forms of crime in society.

Within the Ministry of Interior, it is an open secret that there are daily bribes, abuse of power, influence peddling, conflicts of interest, and money laundering, Vasilev added.

The Ministry of Interior has sabotaged the European Public Prosecutor's Office, a well-known fact publicly disclosed by the Bulgarian European Prosecutor, who is now facing an administrative procedure for removal for daring to go after Peevski, said Radostin Vasilev.

He said further that the Ministry of Interior protects smuggling channels.

"Police violence on such a scale has never existed in the Ministry of Interior," the MECh leader added.

"The sooner Rosen Zhelyazkov gets rid of this Minister of Interior and the entire government resigns, the sooner the rule of law and statehood can return to Bulgaria," declared Vasilev.