Bulgarian Right Wing Hesitant on Backing New Health Minister

Right-wing Bulgarian MEP, Vanyo Sharkov, says they would not give unconditional support for the cabinet's nomination for new health minister. Photo by BGNES

The Bulgarian right-wing Blue Coalition might steer away from supporting the nomination of Dr. Stefan Konstantinov for health minister.

The statement was made Tuesday by Vanyo Sharkov, Member of the Parliament from one of the two parties, forming the Blue Coalition - Democrats for Strong Bulgaria (DSB).

"During the last two cabinet terms nothing was done to improve the Bulgarian health care sector and there is no longer any time left to make more mistakes," the MP told the Bulgarian National Radio, BNR.

Sharkov said the right wing cannot afford another confidence vote, because they already did it during the last reshuffle of health ministers, under certain conditions, of which not even one has been fulfilled.

"We expect that by 9 am Wednesday, the cabinet's nominee would come out and tell Bulgarian people and patients clearly and firmly what his plans are, instead of circling and lobbying in the Parliament's hallways," the politician declared, adding there would be not right-wing support if the hospitals do not receive from the government their overdue payments, if there isn't a program to reinstate municipal health care along with a financial plan to counter the crisis in the sector, reduce the debt of the hospitals, and fight the pharmaceutical "mafia."

The DSB leadership, however, points out Konstantinov has many professional and personal qualities, but has been nominated by the ruling center-right Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) party without consulting with the Blue Coalition.

Years ago, Konstantinov was a DSB member, but left the party's ranks after becoming a Deputy Chair of the Bulgarian Doctors Union.

According to the right wing, Konstantinov has been offered the post twice before by Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, and declined both times until now.

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