PP-DB Demands GERB to Sign Promises Document for Government Reform

PP-DB, the second political force in Bulgaria’s parliament, has placed seven conditions on GERB, the ruling party, and has threatened to demand the resignation of the government if these conditions are not fulfilled. The announcement was made by Kiril Petkov, co-chairman of the “We continue the change” party, after a lengthy meeting of the PP-DB group.

The conditions were formulated in response to alleged violations of a declaration made by GERB-SDS members Acad. Denkov and Maria Gabriel. In order to ensure the implementation of the Denkov-Gabriel declaration, PP-DB has defined seven clear guarantees. Failure to fulfill these guarantees will result in PP-DB demanding the resignation of the government, according to Petkov.

Petkov emphasized the importance of a reformist government for Bulgaria’s future, but stressed that this should not come at the expense of captured regulators and pseudo-reform. To formalize the guarantees, PP-DB has invited GERB-SDS for a meeting to sign a document titled “Mechanism for guaranteeing the reform program”. The document is expected to be signed by Prime Minister Academician Nikolay Denkov, Deputy Prime Minister Maria Gabriel, and the chairmen of the political groups.

The seven conditions set by PP-DB include the creation of a board of representatives nominated by both parties before filling the composition of regulators elected by the National Assembly. The nominations should be coordinated within the mechanism for preliminary coordination outlined in the Denkov-Gabriel declaration. PP-DB also demands compliance with the already approved general legislative program, including a mechanism to guarantee a stable majority formed by the first and second political forces in the adoption of all bills from this program.

Furthermore, GERB-SDS is expected to commit to a road map with specific deadlines for the implementation of judicial and constitutional reform, as well as take measures to ensure that the current composition of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) will not choose the next chief prosecutor. Legislative changes regarding the functioning of Bulgarian security services and their release from foreign influence are also required.

PP-DB insists that the acceptance of anti-corruption texts regarding the new anti-corruption commission should only occur after reaching a political agreement on the composition of the body and the scope of its investigations. Additionally, a general bill for changes to the Electoral Code, including the return of the machine vote and changes to the composition of the Central Election Commission (CEC), is demanded to guarantee the fairness of future elections.

Lastly, PP-DB calls for guarantees regarding the implementation of the management program for Bulgaria’s admission to the Eurozone. This includes developing a common political position on the legality of the initiative for a referendum on Revival.

Failure to fulfill these conditions, as outlined in the joint declaration of Acad. Denkov and Maria Gabriel, would be considered a serious violation and replacement of the reformist nature of the government, rendering the work of the Denkov Gabriel office meaningless, according to PP-DB.

The representatives of GERB-SDS have been invited to talks to clarify the mechanisms and guarantees described above. PP-DB emphasizes the need for the already working reformist government to continue and for the country to avoid entering into a political crisis again.

1) What are the seven conditions outlined by PP-DB that the ruling party GERB must fulfill, or else face a demand for the government’s resignation?

The second political force in Bulgaria’s parliament, PP-DB, has outlined seven conditions that the ruling party, GERB, must fulfill, or they will demand the resignation of the government. Kiril Petkov, co-chairman of the “We continue the change” party, made the announcement after a lengthy meeting of the PP-DB group.

These conditions were developed in response to alleged violations of a declaration made by GERB-SDS members Acad. Denkov and Maria Gabriel. To ensure the implementation of the declaration, PP-DB has established seven clear guarantees. If these guarantees are not met, PP-DB will demand the government’s resignation, according to Petkov.

Petkov highlighted the importance of a reformist government for Bulgaria’s future but emphasized that it should not come at the expense of captured regulators and pseudo-reform. In order to formalize these guarantees, PP-DB has invited GERB-SDS to a meeting to sign a document called “Mechanism for guaranteeing the reform program.” The document is expected to be signed by Prime Minister Academician Nikolay Denkov, Deputy Prime Minister Maria Gabriel, and the chairmen of the political groups.

One of the seven conditions set by PP-DB is the creation of a board of representatives nominated by both parties before appointing regulators elected by the National Assembly. These nominations should be coordinated within the mechanism for preliminary coordination outlined in the Denkov-Gabriel declaration. PP-DB also demands compliance with previously approved geographical distribution rules.