Kristian Vigenin in Pazardzhik: I will encourage the local structures to run their own initiatives and left policies

„The BSP must defend its role, to be the mainstay of social policy in government. We are setting an example in the past week too, with the proposal for a cap on the mark-up on food. This is an extremely severe problem for all Bulgarians and we have the responsibility to insist on a solution to it. Spending must not be cut, ways must be sought to increase revenue, and there are unused possibilities for this, concession fees can be raised and the excess profits of the banks can be taxed. We will firmly insist that spending on pensions or social payments is not cut.“ This was stated by the Deputy Chair of the BSP and candidate for chair of the party Kristian Vigenin at a meeting with BSP members in Pazardzhik. He told the socialists who filled the hall that he firmly insists that the left priorities set out in the agreement signed between the parties should be seen in the government’s governing programme. On Tuesday this week there was a discussion with the leadership of the parliamentary group and the ministers on Kristian Vigenin’s initiative.

Preserving historical memory and the anti-fascist monuments is a priority of his: „We must preserve memory and not allow history to be distorted. The absence of memory opens the door for that to happen. It will be useful for our national values to carry out my idea of restoring at least one monument in each region, all the more so as the 80th anniversary of the Second World War is approaching.“ During the conversation on this topic it was mentioned that the plaque at Milevi Skali near Pazardzhik will be repaired in September.

More freedom for local branches

Kristian Vigenin shared with the socialists of Pazardzhik his idea of giving more freedom to the local structures. „I will encourage the local structures to run their own initiatives and left policies. Over the years, locally you have been deprived of a party subsidy that would provide the minimum for the organisations to exist. That will change. I will create a funding system that will allow more funds to be distributed to the local structures, while spending is reduced centrally“, the candidate for chair of the BSP set out his intention.

Vigenin outlined the need for a quality discussion about the future of the party and its ideology, at both local and national level: „The path we will travel is more valuable than even the final goal.“ He recalled that as an MP elected from Yambol he had not allowed conflicts and division. „You can have a different opinion, but we should not go beyond the bounds of good tone in public. The BSP needs a calm atmosphere, which is a guarantee of growth and success. We have a lot of work ahead of us, and we must seek the solutions to the problems together“, the Deputy Chair of the party pointed out.

Another question Kristian Vigenin will pay attention to if he is elected chair of the BSP is the training and preparation of staff: „We forgot to train our people. Let them feel the party as their support and let us build them up as future leaders. For that purpose we must also restore the party training courses, and this is an investment in the future of the BSP.“

Kristian Vigenin intends to build a stable team with broad expertise and clear commitments, which are the main condition for the effectiveness of the party leadership. For the support for and confidence in the new leader to be convincing, Vigenin believes that he should be elected directly by all BSP members.