EC Says It Cannot Force Embattled Bulgarian Govt to Resign

Reding’s visit to Bulgaria comes amid mass anti-government rallies in the bloc’s poorest member state. Photo by BGNES

Commenting on the political turmoil in Bulgaria, European Commission Vice President Viviane Reding remindedTuesday that the Commission cannot ask a whole government to resign.

Reding explained the European Commission could only ask separate Ministers or Commissioners to step down.

“I wish you success in forming a government that you trust,” she told Bulgarians during an eagerly anticipated public Citizens’ Dialogue in Sofia.

Reding called upon Bulgaria’s political parties to amend the electoral legislation in a way that would allow the people’s voice to be heard when political decisions are made.

“Each country needs strong institutions. Democracy needs strong institutions,” she said, underlining the necessity of a strong judiciary.

“You say that your voice is not being heard. But you protested very loudly against an appointment, and your voice was heard. It was a big relief for us to see that your voice was heard,” Reding told anti-government protesters, according to local media.

Reding’s visit to Bulgaria comes amid mass anti-government rallies in the bloc’s poorest member state. The popular protests were triggered by what many believe is the Socialist-led government’s heavy dependence on murky oligarchs.

The demonstrations were prompted by the scandalous appointment of media mogul Delyan Peevski as Chair of the State Agency for National Security (DANS) on June 14.

Although the appointment was revoked, the people went on to demand that the Socialist-endorsed cabinet of Prime Minister, Plamen Oresharski, resign collectively.

The Ambassadors of France, Germany and the Netherlands have backed the popular protests, urging the government to part with the oligarchic model of ruling the country.

The public Citizens’ Dialogue is part of the debates with EU citizens across the "Old Continent" in the frame of the "European Year of Citizens." The opinions of people will help the EC in the preparation of future reforms in the EU, changes in agreements and new legislation. One of the main goals of the dialogue is the groundwork related to the elections for European Parliament in 2014.

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