"The short version is that I am excluded, but I am a member of the PG of the PP-DB and I have a huge sense of gratitude to "Democratic Bulgaria" who resisted being excluded from PG. We founded PP 3 years ago. with two clear goals – one is to fight for Bulgaria's European path and second, to fight against corruption, unfortunately this week we diverged on the first goal, because work with "Vazrazhdane" on important policies and majorities in the National Assembly should be taboo for every party".
This is what Daniel Laurer, expelled from the PP, said to bTV, quoted by "Focus".
"On this point we diverged, we have diverged for a long time. In the previous parliament, there was still alarming information then that there were talks about replacing the chairman of the National Assembly, then Raya Nazaryan, with Ivan Ivanov from the BSP again in serious talks with the "Vazrazhdane" party. They were documented as photographs and no one denied these plans, which means to me that we have made a compromise and decided that we can fight corruption with the help of a pro-Putin party, a fascist party, this is impossible," Laurer said categorically.
"It was suggested that we have a common chairman, which is known to be 99% acting prime minister," he explained.
"We know what is in the law book of "Revival" - those who send teachers to prosecutors and ban NGOs," Laurer specified.
He also commented on when the crack in his relationship with his close friend Kiril Petkov began.
"We had many conversations going back in time. Even when Kiril Petkov gave an interview to Sasho Dikov, I said that I will not tolerate conversations with "Vazrazhdane" on important topics.
Around the end of the previous parliament, there were talks about replacing Raya Nazaryan with Petrov from the BSP. Our coalition had a candidate and it pains me immensely that our group made so much effort for Silvi Kirilov and not for him," he added.
Laurer said he will remain an MP as long as the group wants it.
"DB extremely actively and consistently defended the position not to vote for Silvi Kirilov, because they knew what it was like to give to "Vazrazhdane" entrance to power. "After the announcement came that we were to be kicked out, DB unanimously said that they were against us being kicked out of the group," he revealed.
According to him, the most dangerous thing for Bulgaria is the entry of "Vazrazhdane" in power and will fight against him, regardless of whether he will be a PP candidate in the next election.
"Kiselova is a compromise of the moderate political forces, which showed a possible compromise without Peevski and without "Revival". Is "Revival" to support or not to support something is their will, but it is different to actively seek their political support, as was the case with Kirilov, and this means that this support will have counter demands, and this is a huge problem", Laurer is categorical.
PP made great efforts to gather an active majority for Silvi Kirilov. "Revival" said that the PP wanted them to propose Boyko Rashkov for the chairman of the National Assembly, I don't know if it is true, pointed out Daniel Laurer.
"Even at the first signals that a rapprochement between PP and Vazrazhdane was possible, even then I made it clear that I would not tolerate working with "Vazrazhdane" regarding important decisions for Bulgaria, Laurer is categorical. Our coalition had a candidate gen. Atanasov. He was raised by our group. I find it painful that our group made so much effort for Silvi Kirilov, and not for our own choice," Laurer said.
"I will remain a deputy from the PP-DB PG as long as the group wants this. DB actively and consistently defended the position not to vote for Silvi Kirilov.
The only time they voted "for“ was to show coalition confidence in the PP", Laurer also commented.
"I will continue to fight against the encroachment of "Revival" in power, as I think this is the most dangerous thing for Bulgaria".