Was the leader of the BSP not too late with his resignation Cornelia Ninova, Mr. Dimitrov?
In my opinion, it is too late! Cornelia Ninova had to step down as early as 2021, when the party collapsed electorally. Let's not forget that at that time the BSP was in the role of the largest opposition party, and the rulers from GERB were heavily discredited after a wave of protests. In this situation, BSP had to convince people that it was the real alternative, but somewhere the party leadership stumbled. Instead, we suffered a serious decline in trust, allowed the emergence of new political entities that were able to reach more people and collect more – serious support from us. Even then Ninova had to submit her resignation. However, she decided to remain stubborn, to strengthen the division within the party, to enter into a controversial government with our ideological enemies, only and only for the purpose of her own survival.
How will you comment on the disastrous election results?
The results are catastrophic to say the least! In just over 5 years, the party lost the trust of over 800,000 voters. We entered a contested battle for the penultimate place with small political formations such as ITN and “Velichie”. Unfortunately, I personally expected this disaster. There was no way we could get better results when the chairman of the party and the leadership have totally severed ties with the Bulgarian people and the party structures.
Let's not forget that just before these elections, Cornelia Ninova, typical of her style, dealt with several of the most – the big organizations of the party, decapitated them and brought them into internal party chaos, and then imposed the lists with which to appear in the upcoming elections. It is for this reason that we have record low results in Sofia – city, Plovdiv – district and others. Mrs. Ninova could not understand that the style of opposition and imposition demotivated the party structures. This is not a private company, but a political party in which everyone is a member for ideological and social reasons and on a voluntary basis. A true leader must unite and motivate these people, not fear and divide them.
What urgently needs to be done about the election of a new president?
First of all, a national council must be convened as quickly as possible to convene a congress. At this congress, there should be a frank conversation about the state of the party's structures and ideology after the Nineva phenomenon. The people who will organize the full report cycle – elections must ensure a peaceful process, returning the comradely tone in the structures and opening the political conversation about the future of the left in Bulgaria, which is guaranteed to go through a strong and adequate BSP.
Do you think that with these results it will be possible to form an adequate, working government? Unfortunately, the situation is very complicated and not very promising. Certainly, new elections are not a good option, and this is also implied by the frighteningly low voter turnout. It is important to set several priorities for the country, which will unite them – the majority of parties in parliament. Naturally, the great responsibility rests with GERB, who must find the correct formula for forming a government. However, I am sure that one more episode of parliamentary comedy will completely break the already badly damaged political system.