site.btaPeevski's Security Detail Should Be Immediately Cancelled, Yes, Bulgaria Co-chair Mirchev Says

Ivaylo Mirchev, co-chair of Yes, Bulgaria, told reporters in the parliamentary lobby on Friday that MRF – New Beginning leader Delyan Peevski’s security detail should be cancelled. “We believe that Peevski's security detail should be removed immediately. It is larger and costs more than the security detail for the president and his administration,” Mirchev said.

On Thursday, MRF - New Beginning tabled legal amendments that would allow the President, Prime Minister and Parliament leader to give up their personal detail.

“We have always said, and we put forward the proposal that, apart from the Chair of the National Assembly, other MPs should not use cars belonging to the National Assembly,” Mirchev said. For example, he added, the money paid for drivers for MPs and politicians could go to the army.

At the beginning of October, the National Assembly amended the National Service for Protection Act and now the NSP no longer provides transport services for the President's administration, while carrying out official duties related to state ceremonies and protocol.

“The political crisis can be resolved if Boyko Borissov becomes emancipated from Peevski,” Mirchev said.

Earlier this week, GERB leader Boyko Borissov, speaking to members of the GERB-UDF parliamentary group and Prime Minister and GERB member Rosen Zhelyazkov, cast doubt on whether GERB would remain part of the governing majority.

In connection with the failure of the National Assembly to hold any sittings this week, Yes, Bulgaria co-chair Bozhidar Bozhanov said that the parties in power had gone into hiding and were distributing portions. Negotiations this winter, before the formation of the government in which Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria [of which Yes, Bulgaria is part] participated, were public, Bojanov said. But then those negotiations somehow became a secret, he added. “Now, Peevski has come out to announce who he is talking to, who he orders around, but that is not a serious political process,” Bozhanov said. He reminded those in power that “giving Peevski more power will not solve the political crisis, which is the result of him having taken over the judiciary and the services.”

“The opposition is always ready for early elections, the question should be addressed to those in power, because they have to decide whether to hold early elections or agree to give Peevski his portions,” Bozhanov added.