"Today I submit my resignation as a deputy of the Bulgarian Parliament. I submit it with calmness, because I am doing something right". This is what Kiril Petkov wrote on social networks.
Petkov described yesterday's meeting of the National Council of the party as "truly motivating":
"A hall full of young people who believe that Bulgaria can be changed. These young people already have political experience and are knowledgeable and capable, and are real fighters".
According to the former co-chair of the PP, his resignation sets a new standard in Bulgarian politics.
"Political leaders must be responsible for the actions of their cadres. It will no longer be enough, as it was in GERB, to pretend that you don't know the wrongdoer, just because you personally were not part of the scandal. No, after my resignation this should no longer be acceptable to voters - they should demand political responsibility from the leaders for the actions in their party. And those who do not follow this new principle should look increasingly ridiculous in the eyes of their voters. And voters should start demanding it from their leaders, so that these leaders should be careful in their actions", writes Petkov.
"I am proud that no one can say that all parties are the same anymore. In We Continue the Change, anti-corruption is part of the party's DNA. Traitors and corruptors can infiltrate any party, the question is what the reaction of the organization is when they discover them. Ours was immediate and profound. We have shown that we take responsibility at the highest level," he also points out.
"We continue the change and GERB is very different! Under Borisov, even when the US put his finance minister in sanctions for corruption under the “Magnitsky” law, he pretended to be distracted. Not to mention Novo naklado, where the leader himself is sanctioned for corruption under the “Magnitsky” law. When they accepted us into ALDE, they said that they had made a whole new procedure for the immediate exclusion of a party because of Peevski. Honestly, I do not envy the normal people in GERB, who became part of this party with an idea for the European development of Bulgaria, and now understand that they should be partners and grateful to the man whom the US has identified as one of the most corrupt in Bulgaria. I hope that the free people in GERB will ask for a leader like Rosen Zhelyazkov to lead their party in order to stop the stagnation there by the duo – Borisov-Peevski, which stops the European development of GERB from being a normal party".
"I have known Assen Vassilev for many years. I believe in his leadership and I know that he is a uniquely smart and honest man with a vision. I know that in addition to fighting corruption, he will unleash a successful economic policy that will be based on justice and an equal start for all with a focus on education and healthcare. Assen's narrow specialty is economic growth or how a poor country can become rich. There are not many Bulgarians who have his knowledge. With a real political mandate from the people, he can make Bulgaria flourish in 4 years and truly resemble a normal European country," adds Kiril Petkov.
"I am resigning and will not run for new leadership positions in September at the General Assembly. I have never liked political circuses: today I resign, tomorrow they will not vote for me. I believe in dignity, political responsibility and excellence. I am leaving the party bodies, but the party will not leave my heart. After our 8-hour meeting yesterday with the expanded National Council, I like “We Continue the Change” even more, because there are so many young and decent people ready to fight for our common dream.
Of course, I remain a member of We Continue the Change and my next task will be to travel to the different regions of the country and talk to the people, not as their leader, but as one of them. I want to inspire confidence in them that Bulgaria is changing and the change depends on each of us, regardless of whether you are a leader, member or responsible citizen - it is important to love your homeland and to understand that you must show it not in words, but in deeds every day.", Kiril Petkov adds in his publication.