„We are facing a serious, in-depth analysis - not only of the last elections, but of what happened to the BSP over all these years. We must honestly give ourselves the right answers, no matter how unpleasant they may be, so that we can develop a clear strategy and restore the meaning of our existence as a party.“ This was stated by the Bulgarian MEP from the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, Christian Vigenin, in the program „This Saturday and Sunday“ on BTV. He noted that the chairman of the BSP Krum Zarkov has received the trust of the National Council of the party to continue leading it and from now on there is no room for hesitation - we must look forward.
„We have several very important tests ahead of us, but the local elections next year will be the real test for the BSP. Local government has always been the strength of the left - not only in Bulgaria, but also in Europe. There we are closest to the people. The question is whether we will manage to maintain and expand this influence, or will we continue to lose positions. It depends on this whether the BSP will remain a serious party with prospects for growth“, commented Vigenin.
In his opinion, the lack of subsidy is undoubtedly a problem, because the left does not rely on the oligarchy and big business. „Now we are faced with a new reality - to find a model that will allow us to preserve this freedom. This means turning to the people, to our members and sympathizers, to more small donations“, the MEP suggested.
“The biggest mistake was our participation in the government with GERB while being categorically dependent on the MRF. We entered with a clear red line: that the government would not depend on Peevski, that it would not be a minority government. In the end, however, this was not respected. We were not categorical enough to defend our own positions and found ourselves in a situation where we seemed to be affiliated with GERB and Peevski. This had a heavy price - it demotivated the party and repelled the voters“, he analyzed the loss of the elections.
Vigenin pointed out as a weakness that the BSP had for years
internal conflicts - exclusions, scandals, opposition and it came to the situation – socialists to deal mainly with themselves, and not with the problems of the people. “The BSP has a point in existing only if it is useful for Bulgaria and for Bulgarian citizens. If it is not, it does not matter whether it will exist“, Vigenin was frank.
The MEP noted that the BSP congress was the last chance for the socialists to make a sharp turn, to shake off their addictions and to embark on a new path. “It is clear that the party has begun to regain its self-confidence, the activists were more confident in the campaign. But the truth is that two months are not enough. This is a long process and will require a lot of work, consistency and clear direction“, he commented.
Kristian Vigenin noted that the often-discussed rebranding of the BSP is not a matter of changing the name, color or face.
“If the content remains the same, nothing will change. The truth is that what worked before no longer works today. If we do not offer new, quality content and a clear direction, no external changes will restore trust“, he believes.
The MEP outlined three possible paths for the BSP:“The first is to make the necessary changes and return as a serious political force in the next elections. The second is to fail and gradually disappear as a political entity. However, the leftist idea will not disappear, someone else will take it over. The third option is to become a minor partner in some coalition, to exist formally but without real weight. This may be the easiest path, but it is certainly not the worthy one.“
In conclusion, Kristian Vigenin defined the loss of a significant part of the BSP voters as a heavy signal.
„Some of these people may return, but this will not happen automatically. We must give them a reason to do so - with behavior, with policy, with a clear alternative“, he emphasized.
For contact with the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the EP: https://www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu/