site.btaVazrazhdane Calls “Arrogant” Behaviour of Rossen Hristov, Deniza Slateva and Vladimir Malinov at BOTAS Hearing

Vazrazhdane described as “arrogant” the behavior of former caretaker Energy Minister Rossen Hristov, former Bulgargaz CEO Deniza Slateva and current Bulgartransgaz CEO Vladimir Malinov during a hearing in Parliament on the BOTAS deal. This was announced to the media in Parliament on Thursday by MP Yordan Todorov. MP Yordan Todorov commented to journalists in Parliament that the worst thing is that in fact these people do not regret in any way, they do not even try to make sure that this deal is renegotiated, and the worst thing is that people will pay BGN five billion in the next 12 years and the deal in question cannot be renegotiated.

"We have said many times on this issue that the deal cannot be renegotiated. It has already been officially acknowledged by the other political parties, including the energy minister, who said that several attempts have been made but so far they have been unsuccessful. The Turkish side categorically refuses any renegotiation of this deal," the MP said.

In his words, at the same time Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov has returned Vladimir Malinov, who is one of the people who signed the deal for BOTAS, at the helm of Bulgartransgaz. "I took the liberty for the fourth time to ask what are the motives for bringing him back to Bulgartransgaz. I asked him if there was pressure for this decision, whether from Peevski, whether from Borissov, whether from the president, whether from someone else. Once again he refused to answer at all. This is one of the things that I find most regrettable because we see how there is some political struggle between the President, GERB and MRF-New Beginning, and at the same time they watch each other's back and appoint the people who apparently carry out all the orders together," the MP said. In his words, the attitude of Velichie, who say that there is no bad deal, is obviously a kind of gratitude to President Rumen Radev, who, according to MP Yordan Todorov, is one of the people who brought Velichie into Parliament.

Asked about the head of State's upcoming trip to Japan, Yordan Todorov said that having reaped all possible political dividends from his tabled referendum, he was now going on holiday to Japan. “This is not honorable behaviour," Todorov added.