The district mayors and municipal councilors from “We continue the change”, who left the party, commented on their decision, as well as the arrest of Nikola Barbutov, the resignation of Kiril Petkov and the criticism directed at them.
"In recent days we have been subjected to suggestions, pressure and attempts to publicly embarrass ourselves, just because we refused to remain silent. The resignation of Kiril Petkov and the arrest of Deputy Mayor Nikola Barbutov, his resignation and that of Kiril Petkov cannot be explained only by the next tremors in a political force. They are a sign of a moral collapse, which is a consequence of a long concealment of small secrets. For many months, pressure was put on us - to prioritize private interests over public interests, to remain silent, not to follow the principles for which we were elected by the citizens and for which we joined the PP. We refuse to be part of schemes. We are not part of the backstage". This was said by the mayor of the “Lyulin” district; Georgi Todorov, quoted by Nova TV.
He stressed that they would not participate in covering up the truth or be accomplices in this.
The mayor of the “Mladost” district; Ivaylo Kukurin stated that “the trust of citizens is not built with empty talk and propaganda, but with real, honest work and accountability”. He was categorical that this is how they have worked and will continue to work, “despite the labels that they are trying to put on us”. “We continue to uphold our principles and we will prove it in the future”, Kukurin also said.
The capital's municipal councilor Dragomir Dragomirov explained that “there were two options - either to remain silent and bow down, or to tell the truth and stand behind the mayors who suffered very heavy damages and were threatened with prosecution because there was pressure on them for corrupt activities”.
He added that he remained true to his principles and to people who tell the truth.
”I don't want to take the blame because I don't deserve it. There is no small or large corruption”, Dragomirov added.
Municipal councilor Dimitar Shalafov asked several questions to the PP leadership.
„First, are we a personnel mistake because we chose not to remain silent about corruption, or are we not? Second, do they think that with the resignation of Kiril Petkov, the responsibility that the Executive Council of the party bears is exhausted. I call on them, if they have enough courage, to all resign. Leaving Petkov alone at this press conference was not good”, Shalafov commented.