Vigenin: The BSP needs deep change, a young leader and new partners

“A left party cannot be the status quo. It always has to be a party of change, of the desire for a better life and for fundamental economic change.” With these words Bulgarian MEP Kristian Vigenin from the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament outlined the need for deep change in the BSP in an interview with the programme “Sabudi se” on Nova Television. In his words the new political situation, after the government’s resignation, requires the party to focus not on the past, but on what lies ahead.

Vigenin stressed that the main task for the BSP is to be recognised again as a useful, authentic left party that defends clear policies and has the ambition of solid representation in the next parliament. “What matters is not only which policies we propose, but also who represents the party,” he said, recalling that the National Council has already approved in principle the future election platform, which is due to be discussed at the congress as well.

The need for a new leader

In Vigenin’s view the current situation calls for a new leader and a significantly changed direction for the BSP. “Over the past year the party was often seen as a subcontractor of GERB and DPS-New Beginning, regardless of its real intentions. It does not matter what it was, what matters is what people believe,” the MEP noted.

In this context he expressed his personal support for the leader of the BSP Youth Union Gabriel Valkov, because in his view he has both organisational and political experience, including from his work as chair of the parliamentary Committee on Youth and Sport. “If we, the more experienced ones, stand beside him, I think we can manage,” Vigenin said, but specified that the final decision is the congress’s.

Participation in government

On the BSP’s participation in the outgoing government Vigenin said that the responsibility is both collective and personal, but that the leader carries the greatest weight. He commented that the decision to take part in government was not a mistake, but that over time the initial conditions changed significantly and the party did not manage to become an equal partner.

“As of today, yes, we saved the country from another round of elections for a certain period. But from here on we definitely have to distance ourselves from political interaction with GERB and DPS and look for new partners,” Vigenin said. In his words the BSP, without wanting to, ended up part of a status quo that reproduces itself, something incompatible with the mission of a left party.

The presidential election and future partnerships

On the question of whether the Socialists would back Iliana Yotova at the upcoming presidential election, Vigenin noted that it is early to talk about presidential candidacies. “Mrs Yotova is currently facing a big challenge, to step convincingly into the role of president. Her first steps are encouraging and I congratulate her for that,” he commented. He specified that Iliana Yotova is connected with the BSP biographically and politically, but that the party must on no account become a millstone. “She has to keep her independent image,” the MEP believes.

For Kristian Vigenin, possible future cooperation between the BSP and Rumen Radev’s formation is a way for the Socialists to achieve what they have not managed on their own: “This does not mean blurring our identity. On the contrary, the BSP will continue to be the left party. The project taking shape around Rumen Radev will not be a left one. That means there is clear space for the BSP and its role. Perhaps it makes sense to widen the range, with the BSP holding the left front and Rumen Radev’s project attracting other voters who would not otherwise vote for us.”