As always, there is a certain tension in the BSP. It comes as criticism of the leadership for failing to unite the left, as the Sofia organization did during local elections in the fall. This leaves left-wing voters divided into 4 factions in 4 different parties, said Gabriel Valkov, in an interview with FACTS.
On Europe Day, what do you think is the balance sheet and outlook for the EU?
May 9, in addition to Europe Day, is also Victory Day, which marks the end of the Second World War on the territory of Europe. A war that cost the lives of over 60 million people worldwide. About 2 weeks before the Victory Day, on the banks of the Elbe River, with eyes filled with tears of joy, the soldiers of the Red Army coming from the east and their allies from the west embrace. On days like this we must remember history.
The victory over Hitler-fascist Germany marks the beginning of peace in Europe. On the same date 5 years later - in 1950, in his speech in Paris, Robert Schumann shared his idea for a completely new form of cooperation between the countries of Europe, which would make war between European nations absolutely unthinkable. With this, the concept of the European Union was officially born. Today we celebrate the idea of a free, democratic, peaceful and united Europe. I wish all of us to see her like this again soon, because the war in Ukraine has been going on for three years now. The economic upheavals and destabilization that the Old Continent is experiencing are harmful not only to the states but also to the people. Inflation and high prices hit the most vulnerable groups of our society the hardest. Social inequalities are growing and Europe's great challenge for this decade will be to deal with precisely these problems. Only in this way will we continue to be the continent in the world where people live best.
We are exactly one month away from the European and parliamentary elections, what are the attitudes in the BSP?
We are used to going from election to election. People do not trust that politicians can solve their problems. As always, there is a certain tension in the BSP. It comes as criticism of the leadership for failing to unite the left, as the Sofia organization did during local elections in the fall. This leaves left-wing voters split into 4 factions in 4 different parties. Apart from the fact that this harms the BSP, it also harms the left in general. A second major tension arises in the ranks from the entry of people like Kaloyan Metodiev, who is the former chairman of the youth organization of the SDS. Our members complain that they do not see young people, from the ranks of the BSP, at the top of the lists. On the other hand, there are former representatives of ideologically opposite parties in leading positions, which demotivates a large part of people to work for the BSP lists.
I hope that after June 9th, the BSP will show the necessary sense to go in the right direction, because we can no longer continue in this way.
What European ideas are you entering the campaign with, what should change in Europe and what should Bulgarian MEPs do in the European Union?
We enter the campaign fighting for a fairer and more social union. We want peace and an end to all hostilities on the territory of the Old Continent. The only way to stabilize the European Union is if it succeeds in getting Russia and Ukraine to sit at the negotiating table and act as a mediator in them. Pouring in more money and weapons would only prolong the agony, both for all the people who die at the front or for all the people who live in Europe. The most important thing is that we want to send to Europe through the lists of the BSP people who will be representatives of Bulgaria in the European Union, and not representatives of Europe in Bulgaria. We want to defend the Bulgarian national interest before our European partners, and not have decisions imposed on us from above. This can only happen if he casts strong and independent people to make it a reality. I believe it is possible and that is why I am calling on all people to get out and vote correctly because the future is in our hands and we decide what it will be.