I am extremely pleased that we managed to overcome the president's veto on the changes to the Electoral Code. Although the day was difficult, it was very fruitful, because we managed to achieve a serious victory for the Bulgarian people and for the preservation of Bulgarian statehood. This was stated in the program "Presechna tokhta" on Nova TV by the leader of "Vazrazhdane" Kostadin Kostadinov.
In his words, the voting in Turkey, in the way it was organized for almost four decades, posed a threat to the national security of the republic. "There was voting in formation, in favor of parties that defend foreign national interests - we are talking about the MRF and the APS. There were massive violations and suspicions of fraud", he emphasized.
And he explained that "when a person goes to vote in Turkey, according to the requirements of the CEC - he must fill out a declaration on the spot that he wishes to exercise his right to vote". "Some of the people did not fill out these applications personally, but they were filled out by other persons. In addition, there were cases where ballots were cast on behalf of people who did not actually vote. This distorted the electoral process and threatened democracy. Today, this practice was put, I hope, to a final end. That is why I am glad that the veto was overcome," the leader of "Vazrazhdane" is categorical.
Kostadinov emphasized that limiting the number of polling stations abroad in no way limits the vote of Bulgarians in the US and UK. "The stations in embassies and consular offices do not fall under this limitation, so additional stations can be opened if necessary", he explained.
According to him, the claims that voting in Europe will be limited or prohibited are not true. "In the European Union, Bulgarian citizens will continue to vote freely", he stated.
The leader of "Vazrazhdane" also commented on the vote of other parties regarding the veto on the Electoral Code, recalling that "Vazrazhdane" made a proposal to reduce the number of stations for the first time in December 2021. "That is, we proposed it five years ago and after five years of struggle we finally managed to achieve it. This is something that strengthens Bulgarian democracy and statehood. I can only feel extremely good," he pointed out.
Kostadinov recalled that amendments to the Electoral Code are always considered weeks before the procedure itself opens. "GERB and MRF insisted on changing the election rules to introduce the machines they wanted. We were against it. Not only us - everyone else outside GERB and MRF was also against it. There was an attitude of protest in society. GERB and MRF did not comply and started the procedure, but at one point they saw that they could not gather a majority. They split and their proposals remained without support," he recalled.
"GERB's position has never changed - they have never been for unlimited voting abroad. They imposed the 35-section limit in 2017, which lasted four years, after which it was repealed by the PP–DB. GERB was also against it then. Their position has not changed. However, the position of “There is such a people“ has changed. In the 46th National Assembly, they voted for voting abroad without restrictions, and now they supported our proposal. I believe that in this case this is for the good. As for other parties, including the BSP - they have traditionally supported the idea of restrictions. Now, due to the approaching elections and the specific political situation, we have managed to make the most of the circumstances and protect Bulgarian democracy,” Kostadinov is categorical.