Kristian Vigenin: The BSP is taking part in government in order to pursue left policies

„Our goal is to be able to pursue the policies that matter to our voters and to Bulgaria. For that to happen, you cannot simply stand aside and be cross with those who are in power. That is why the BSP decided to join the next government.“ This was stated on BNT by the Deputy Chair of the BSP and head of the Delegation of the Bulgarian Socialists in the EP Kristian Vigenin. He explained that the main ideas of the BSP’s representatives are set out in the agreement between the parties, which is to be developed into a programme.

Kristian Vigenin acknowledged that he was one of the people who were sceptical about the BSP entering government, because he doubted how far left policies would be defended in the negotiations and would then find a place in the programme. So we will be very attentive to what lies ahead. The Deputy Chair of the BSP said he had spoken with many of the party’s members and that the shared feeling was to take part in government, because this is the way for the socialists to push through policies, as otherwise they remain in a dead-end opposition.

Vigenin noted the highly hysterical political life and the BSP’s role in this situation: „Over these months we made an effort at least to get the parties talking to one another. And that happened. It made it possible to have a more normal atmosphere in which the negotiations on forming the future government could also take place. Yes, there are risks, of course. I myself raised more than one or two questions in this connection in my address to the National Council.“ He pointed out that from now on, once the decision has been taken, the work is for success, without quarrels: „If we also approach the country responsibly, we will manage to prove ourselves as a party that governs effectively and that has done good things for people.“ Kristian Vigenin believes that the BSP’s very presence in government provides guarantees, for example that the budget will not be too restrictive for the various social groups. The presence of MRF, Dogan in the government is in turn a kind of additional barrier against Delyan Peevski, the Deputy Chair of the BSP added.

Kristian Vigenin pointed out that the policies pursued by the new government will be monitored: „It matters to me that the BSP as a party should nevertheless have its own mechanisms of control over the government and a mechanism of accountability for our representatives in power, so that we can guarantee that this government will not merely be social but will be transparent and honest, and that the fight against corruption and against the questionable practices we know from earlier periods will continue.“

Regarding his decision to stand for chair of the BSP, Kristian Vigenin believes the election should not be a battle: „What is needed is a conversation about policies, about what matters for the BSP, what matters for Bulgaria, and how to make the BSP stronger. Those at least are my intentions. I will be absolutely positive. I believe the time has passed when we could afford to insult one another in the media, as has happened in the past, and to quarrel with each other. Here we must be positive, because this is our responsibility to the left as a whole, but also to Bulgaria, because Bulgaria needs a strong BSP. I will make my contribution to that.