“I meet with many socialists throughout the country. We need to hear the party, not walk around with a megaphone and impose an opinion. I have become convinced over the years that when the collective wisdom of the party is given a chance, mistakes rarely happen.“ This was stated by the deputy chairman of the BSP and candidate for chairman of the party, Christian Vigenin, at a meeting with socialists in Plovdiv. He recalled that he has twice led the lists in the city: “There are many active people here who love the left-wing idea, we must find the right solutions and actively involve everyone in their implementation. I am the only candidate who has presented a program for the development of the BSP. It is not a theoretical exercise, but the result of the concrete problems I have encountered and sought answers to. Some of my ideas are not new, but in the past I have not found support for their implementation. Now I am ready to take personal responsibility.“
Kristian Vigenin emphasizes that years ago the BSP was the party with the greatest intellectual potential: “The color of the nation was with us. Little by little, we brought ourselves to the situation of having a weak presence in academic circles, among students and young cultural figures, among opinion leaders in various professional communities. The attitude towards the BSP also depends on who identifies with it, who speaks for it. I propose that we create a network of young scientists, university professors, doctoral students. Let's create an environment in which they feel like a team and grow together in the profession and science.“
When asked by the audience about his attitude towards the imposition of sanctions against Russia and the resolutions of the European Parliament, Vigenin emphasized that he firmly stands by the platform with which he was elected and is categorical on this topic. From the very beginning, he informed his colleagues about the BSP's positions against the sanctions and against the continuation of military aid to Ukraine, in support of diplomatic efforts to end the war and achieve lasting peace. “I and Tsvetelina Penkova vote against the resolutions against Russia, which are submitted every month to the EP. I have won our right to have a different opinion from the Socialists and Democrats Group, of which we are a part, I defend it during the discussions. I believe that gradually our arguments will find wider support, especially now, after the change of power in the USA.“, he explained.
On the topic of the figure of the BSP chairman and whether he will be able to combine this position as an MEP, Kristian Vigenin emphasized that he intends to create a strong team with clearly distributed responsibilities and return the center of decision-making to the party bodies - the National Council and the Executive Bureau. Thus, the next EB will have BSP representatives from the executive branch, MPs and MEPs, mayors and municipal councilors, representatives of horizontal structures. “I see the advantages of the chairman not being a member of the government and not being personally responsible for all cabinet decisions, not being a member of parliament and having to vote together with GERB and MRF on a daily basis. I have carefully assessed that I can combine my commitments in Brussels with the post of chairman of the BSP, and in addition, the position in the European Parliament gives access to a level of political decisions that would otherwise be difficult to access. It is no coincidence that now there are a number of my colleagues from different political groups who are leaders of national parties, including ruling ones. But my responsibility to the BSP comes first and I have no hesitation in reviewing this position if I deem it necessary.“, said the deputy chairman of the BSP.
“The election of the chairman of the BSP is not a battle, but a competition of ideas, I participate in it to win. I treat each of the candidates with respect, I hope that in the time remaining until the election we will gather good ideas and then do the most useful thing for the BSP. I will lend a hand to everyone, because only if we work together can we build a strong BSP!“, concluded Kristian Vigenin.