Bulgarian Left, Right Wing Ask for More GERB Oustings

MPs from Bulgarian left and right wing voiced demands for the resignation of the Head of the Parliamentary Agriculture Committee, Desislva Taneva, over a controversial amendment, involving land sale. File photo

The Bulgarian right-wing Blue Coalition is asking for the resignation of the Head of the Parliamentary Agriculture Committee, Desisalva Taneva, over alleged acts of lobbyism.

The accusations of Taneva using her post to systematically pass lobbyist texts in the Parliament were backed by the opposition Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), even demanding the resignation of Agriculture Minister, Miroslav Naydenov.

Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, who made a surprise visit to the Parliament Thursday, firmly denied the allegations and declared these resignations, unlike those of several other high-ranking Members of the Parliament from his ruling Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) party, are not feasible.

Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Committee on Conflict of Interest, led by a Blue Coalition MP, began a probe of Taneva over an already withdrawn amendment, according to which owners of land would be obliged to offer their property for sale first to their tenant farmers, and the latter would have the right to determine the price.

Other examples of Taneva’s lobbyism include the amendments in the Hunting Act, the Farming Lands Ownership Act, the Uncultivated Lands Act, all serving the interests of land owners, according to the accusations.

Taneva dismissed the charges as groundless and denied being pressured by the PM to withdraw the controversial land sale amendment.

BSP based their request for Naydenov’s resignation on another amendment submitted by the latter – to the Preservation of Farming Lands Act, introducing a partial ban to build renewable energy sources facilities on the most fertile lands.