Bulgarian MPs Vote Yes on Kicking NOI Director Out

NOI Director, Hristina Mitreva, is accused of swelling the budget deficit by forecasting unrealistically high levels of revenues from social security. Photo by BGNES

The Members of the Bulgarian Parliament voted Wednesday to release from her duties the head of Bulgaria's Social Security Institute (NOI) Hristina Mitreva.

The decision was made after long and heated debates.

137 MPs took part in the vote; 93 voted "yes" on Mitreva's resignation; 34 from the opposition parties – the Bulgarian Socialists (BSP) and the ethnic Turkish Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) voted against, while 10 abstained.

Mitreva, who was present during the vote declined comments for journalists, but announced a press conference will be held at NOI later, which is to become her last media appearance.

The NOI Director resigned Tuesday after piling pressure on the part of Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, and the ruling center-right Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria, GERB, party, and despite her firm determination to remain at the post.

Last week Borisov surprisingly threatened to kick Mitreva out of office, saying she will soon be sent into retirement.

The opposition suspects Mitreva has endured strong political pressure in order to resign.

The main accusation against Mitreva is the swelling of the budget deficit by forecasting unrealistically high levels of revenues from social security.

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