Kristian Vigenin: The BSP must show character and resilience in order to defend its policies in government

„The BSP must show enough character and identity, and enough resilience, to defend its priorities and policies in the new government, so that people can see it was worth being part of it.” This was stated by the Deputy Chair of the BSP and head of the Delegation of the Bulgarian Socialists in the EP Kristian Vigenin on BG On Air television. He explained that if the socialists had not agreed to take part in the government, the country would have gone to yet another election. „I do not think that would have been better for Bulgaria, or for the BSP“, the Deputy Chair of the BSP commented.

Kristian Vigenin pointed out that the next few weeks will be important, when the governing programme is negotiated, as the commitments made must be specified concretely in it. „The first budget, for 2025, will be very important, and it will be difficult. I care a great deal about seeing some of our priorities in it. For the BSP this budget is key, and we hope the other partners in government will show understanding, because if they do not, then we will all have a problem“, he warned.

On entering the government, the BSP managed to defend many of its positions, but the explanation should have been clearer and faster, so as not to leave the impression that the party was ready for anything just to get into government, Vigenin explained.

The governing agreement, the euro area and Ukraine

The Deputy Chair of the BSP confirmed his view that the party has a signed governing agreement and is not in a coalition: „This is not a classic political coalition. This is an agreement to create a governing majority that supports a government.“ He believes the socialists need to behave rationally in government. “It should not look as if the BSP has built its shadow into this government“, Vigenin commented.

On the topic of Bulgaria’s entry into the eurozone, the Deputy Chair of the BSP explained that the socialists have no problem with membership being postponed a little: „We support membership of the eurozone when we judge that Bulgaria is ready, and not only on these formal criteria, but when we are sure that it will not have a negative effect on incomes, on investment or on economic growth, and when the necessary measures are taken to prevent the possible problems associated with profiteering and rising prices.“

Kristian Vigenin sees no rationale for continuing military aid to Ukraine, all the more so as serious efforts are under way to end the war and there is a trend towards negotiations, and he recalled that the BSP has pointed to this path for resolving the conflict since 2022.

Regarding the forthcoming election of a BSP chair, Kristian Vigenin, who is one of the candidates, said that above all a positive conversation must be held about the policy and the ideas that will revive the BSP. He himself will rely on a positive approach with concrete proposals for change, set out in his programme For a strong BSP! Together! He explained that he is a supporter of direct election, because every socialist deserves the right to have a say.