As a former founder and first chairman of the GERB Party, today I share the truth and pain about what Boyko Borisov has done to the party in recent years. This is how the story begins on the Facebook profile of one of the founders of the GERB Party and former Minister of the Interior Tsvetan Tsvetanov. Here is what he says:
On December 3, 2006, in Hall 1 of the National Palace of Culture, 3,478 people from all over Bulgaria launched GERB. I was elected first chairman because at that time the law did not allow Borisov – as the acting mayor of Sofia – to take a party leadership position.
A minute before that, he told the delegates:
„If this party ever becomes as infamous as the others, I will personally announce its end.“
That was the spirit of that day - a spirit of hope, integrity and a categorical distinction from the model of the triple coalition BSP-NDSV-DPS.
GERB was born as a people's party - against organized crime and corruption, for judicial reforms, for European values, for family, upbringing and order. This was written into the program and clearly stated from the podium in the National Palace of Culture.
From the very first day, there was one main commitment:
GERB will not repeat the mistakes and corruption models of the old parties.
2006-2009: The Building
As chairman until the 2009 elections, I built the party in difficult conditions – without parliamentary representation and participation in power. We worked daily in the field, face to face with the people. I visited each settlement several times.
We made mistakes, but we had the courage to admit them. This increased trust and proved that we were different.
We presented policies together with European and Bulgarian experts from the “Hans Seidel“ Foundation, months before the 2009 elections – something unprecedented for a new party.
There was a cause. There was energy. There was justice.
In the first parliamentary elections in 2009, GERB received the trust of over 1,600,000 Bulgarians.
Until 2019, over 1,100,000 voters supported us in every parliamentary vote.
GERB was a shield against pressure and dependence – especially in sensitive areas where people needed security.
In 2013-2014, we were subjected to repression by the “Oresharski“ cabinet, supported by the BSP, MRF and “Ataka“.
At that time, we said clearly: “Never with the BSP and MRF.“
Today, Borisov must explain publicly why in 2017 he agreed with MRF to share governance – behind the backs of his own party and our coalition partners.
In 2018, the lists of promised personnel and commitments became clear, including in mixed areas. When I refused to fulfill them and opposed Minister Porozhanov, he was dismissed. But the parliamentary group and the structures remained united because I did not betray them.
I also remember the case of the Yagodinska Cave – the insistence of the MRF to be transferred from the BTS to the Borino municipality. This would have opened a corruption model. I made it public and we stopped the procedure, approved with the consent of Borisov and supported by Minister Kralev and Minister Nankov.
This was a betrayal of our members and supporters.
The same applies to the attitude towards successful mayors – valued only before elections, and then threatened that if the result is poor “they will have problems“.
After 2020: GERB is no longer the same party
The truth is one:
After 2020, GERB is no longer the party we founded.
Many worthy people left:
Dr. Daniela Daritkova, Nikolay Kotsev, Ognyan Tsenkov, Dzhema Grozdanova, Mustafa Tair, Ventsi Manov, Dr. Galya Mileva, Vladislav Nikolov, Kiril Kotev, Georgi Ikonomov, Mariyan Kostadinov, Semir Abumelich, Dobroslav Dimitrov, Shukri Khalilov, Kornelia Marinova and many others.
They left because they were betrayed and pushed out.
In their place have settled conformists without contribution, who today turn GERB into a service staff – for themselves and for the status quo, in which the MRF and the BSP hold the key positions.
Today's faces of GERB – Denitsa Sacheva, Daniel Mitov, Toma Bikov, Georgi Harizanov, Raya Nazaryan, Mladen Marinov, Kostadin Angelov, Lyuben Dilov-sin, Miroslav Borshosh and others – were once against the party, but today they determine its direction, driven by conformism and the desire for power.
The way in which the party is governed has distanced it from the promises of 2006.
Founders and members – current and former – are already looking for an alternative.
A party built by worthy people was turned into one of the most hated.
Borisov will sacrifice everyone – for his own survival.
Time is different!
On this anniversary, we must clearly state the truth:
Borisov betrayed the ideals and values of the founding declaration of 2006.
And today, more than ever, political responsibility is needed.
If you overcome your fear and be honest with yourself and the people around you, you must demand Borissov's resignation as chairman if you want GERB to be preserved and acceptable to the democratic community again.
Because he himself said on December 3, 2006:
“If this party ever becomes as infamous as the others, I will personally announce its end.“
But there is a way – for the free people in the party who are looking for an alternative.
The dependents will serve the status quo and call this “a new beginning“.
Others – the free, democratic, honest members and sympathizers – can remain true to the ideals of 2006 by joining a reasonable and responsible unification of the democratic community.
Bulgaria needs a broad democratic unification.
We have seen where Borisov's rule and the gradual absorption of GERB by the MRF lead - a new beginning.
With pain, but also with respect to all with whom we created something good, I congratulate you on your anniversary.
The change in GERB depends on you - not on those who spend your authority and turn you into a means of their survival.
Time is different.
And everyone must choose which side of history they stand on.
The future is in our children!
Bulgaria above all!