In connection with the upcoming early parliamentary elections and the need to guarantee their fairness, transparency and trust in the electoral process, we are addressing you with the proposal to appoint Ms. Maya Manolova as Minister responsible for conducting fair elections. This is what they write in an open letter to the acting Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov from the Bulgarian Federation of Pensioners' Unions and Organizations.
Here's what they share:
After the resignation of Mr. Stoil Tsitselkov, who spent only 24 hours in this position, we believe that the candidacy of Maya Manolova is the most suitable for the following reasons:
First, as a former ombudsman and an extremely experienced lawyer, she filled this position with real content, active work and genuine care for people, turning the institution into an active defender of civil rights.
Second, and to this day, as a civil ombudsman, she consistently protects the rights of those harmed by the state, banks, traders and mobile operators, demonstrating independence, consistency and public commitment.
Third, she was the face of the civil boycott against high prices in retail chains in Bulgaria, following the example of a number of European countries, openly standing on the side of consumers and social justice.
Fourthly, Maya Manolova is the author of the bill "Anti-speculation", recently adopted at first reading in the National Assembly, providing for mechanisms to limit excessive markups on food and services - an initiative in defense of the public interest and social stability.
We are convinced that a person who for years has successfully, consistently and passionately defended the rights of millions of consumers, two million pensioners and the socially disadvantaged, will best protect the rights of voters in the process of holding the upcoming early parliamentary elections, taking up the post of "Minister for Fair Elections".
We believe that such an appointment will be a strong sign of public responsibility, transparency and a desire to restore trust in institutions and the electoral process.