The entire group of municipal councilors of "Vazrazhdane" in Plovdiv is leaving the party and continuing their work in the local parliament under the name "Free Choice", reports the Bulgarian National Radio.
This is clear from a statement by the five municipal councilors, distributed to the media. It was signed by Mr. Apostolov, Elena Grozdanova, Ivan Penkov, Simeon Petrov and Violeta Konstantinova.
In their position, the former municipal councilors of "Vazrazhdane" point out that their decision was not dictated by personal or party interests, but is the result of "deep disagreement" with the way decisions are made in the local structure and with the approach to local politics.
"In recent months, we have repeatedly been put in a situation to vote along pre-imposed political lines that do not reflect either our beliefs or the interests of the citizens of Plovdiv," the position of the five reads.
Councilor Mr. Apostolov explained that on many issues they did not agree with the party will, voting "against" decisions that were good for the city. The new group remains in opposition, but is open to cooperation with other councilors and decisions that are beneficial to the city.
This is the second change in the composition of the groups of the Plovdiv Municipal Council. In early July, Nikolay Gyurov, Iliya Gatev and Dimitar Arnaudov left the PP-DB, BSP and ITN and formed a new group "Independents for Plovdiv".
Here is the official position of the "Vazrazhdane" party on this news, quoted by novini.bg:
“There is nothing free in this free election” - We call on all five municipal councilors to confirm the “honest” their applications to Plovdiv residents and to leave the Municipal Council, since none of them got into it with personal votes (preferences), but thanks to the national policy of “Vazrazhdane”. In order to prove their applications that they will work for Plovdiv residents, it is right for them to leave the Municipal Council, to which Plovdiv residents did not send them personally.
“Vazrazhdane” recalls that the name “Free Choice” in the history of Bulgarian politics has always been associated with betrayals. Years ago, there was a similar situation in the Varna Municipal Council, in which municipal councilors from the UDF seceded and supported the then mayor Kiril Ivanov. The situation here is similar and over time we will see who “Free Choice” supports in Plovdiv. One thing is clear - it is not the national ideal. They will certainly fulfill their own ideal, however, to support the failed mayor of Plovdiv from GERB. Intentions that the representatives of the people from “Vazrazhdane” in Plovdiv actively prevented from being realized.
“Vazrazhdane” offers deep apologies to its voters and categorically states that through its two representatives from the city it will continue to work for the people of Plovdiv. It is obvious that political orders towards the political organization are always activated when it is successful".