Kristian Vigenin: Let us bring words and deeds together, otherwise we lose trust

„I have a very clear and concrete programme for changes in the BSP, and my proposals were widely discussed during my many conversations with socialists from across the country. It is important that people in the BSP have a choice, they must have the chance to choose a direction and a perspective for the future. I am taking part in order to win.“ This was stated by the Deputy Chair of the BSP and candidate for chair of the party Kristian Vigenin on bTV regarding the forthcoming election of the party’s chair.

„The party can no longer afford conflicts and division. We must bring words and deeds together, because when there is a gap between them we lose the trust of voters“, he warned. Vigenin again pointed out that he is a defender of direct election, because this is a right that was given to the socialists and should not be taken away. „It is clear that there are some problems with this type of election. I think the pragmatic approach taking shape at the Congress is to remove direct election, but in future, once the obstacles are cleared, its return can be considered again“, he added. In Vigenin’s view it is still not possible to say who the favourite for chair of the BSP is. „I believe the delegates will vote according to their conscience and that surprises are possible“, he said.

The BSP’s participation in government

Kristian Vigenin explained that he was strongly sceptical about the BSP joining the governing majority, but did not speak out against it. „I wanted to draw attention to the risks, because there are still some colleagues who see only the positive side. In the end I supported the BSP joining the government, because the other option was elections again. Between those two choices it was better for us to try to put our ideas into practice through the government“, he noted.

The Deputy Chair of the BSP also commented on the tension surrounding the social minister’s presence at the conference organised by the Russian embassy and the Bulgaria, Russia forum, which he himself also attended: „This unease is a little inexplicable. This is not the first time such a conference has been held. And there were many well-known academics there. I see nothing unusual in attending such a conference. I think it is important to know who thinks what about the processes in the world. I do not understand this drama, it has been going on in a rather organised way for a second or third day. Ms Mitrofanova is not persona non grata, diplomatic relations with Russia have not been broken off. And on the same day the presidents of the USA and Russia, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, held talks. Dialogue in the world is returning, and I do not see why that should not happen here in Bulgaria“, Kristian Vigenin argued. „What is happening can make Europe stronger, if it acts adequately and returns to the principles on which it was created, peace, the wellbeing of citizens, economic prosperity. Otherwise things will move towards disintegration. Bulgaria has an interest in being part of a strong European Union“, he commented.

Kristian Vigenin noted with regret the inexplicable scenes of aggression and scandal in the National Assembly: „I do not know whether the most important thing in the country is these committees, which are proposed only so that they fail and become a reason for quarrels. An end must be put to this, because it may spill over onto the street. In every parliament passions flare up and there are outbursts, but when that becomes the norm it is worrying.“