President Rumen Radev made a ridiculous attempt to get out of the scandalous situation that gave rise to his decision not to invite a parliamentary force - DPS-NOVO NACHALO - to consultations on forming a government, thereby violating Art. 99. para. 1 of the Constitution.
Radev's decision is unprecedented and it caused a wave of critical comments. All constitutionalists are categorical in their assessments that Radev's actions are not only in violation of the Basic Law, but are also discriminatory towards 300,000 voters who voted for this political force.
Criticism towards Radev has not subsided for the third day and he decided to give arguments for his position
But instead of clearing up the issue, Radev showed on the one hand a double standard, and on the other - a manipulative treatment of the facts.
First. The President explained that the talks with MRF-NEW BEGINNING are pointless because "this parliamentary group previously stated that it would not participate in the process of forming a government and excluded itself from it”. This is not true.
On Tuesday, before the dates for the consultations were even announced, the leader of MRF-NEW BEGINNING, Delyan Peevski, stated that he would not participate in them, but would send representatives of the group, because the Constitution requires it. And this has always been the case. Peevski has been the leader of the MRF's PG for a year and a half now, and his group has always received invitations for consultations, to which they have responded. So, Radev's thesis of self-exclusion does not hold up.
Secondly, Radev claims that there is no point in talking to a party that “insists categorically on immediate new elections”. This is even more absurd because Peevski insists on having a government that “adopts the budget, calls on all parliamentary groups not to harm teachers, police officers, military, athletes and artists through the budget”. And his assessment that this parliament has failed and elections should be held is shared by other parliamentary forces, which, however, are not discriminated against by the head of state. Moreover, to sanction an entire party because of an expressed position of its leader is a pure example of authoritarianism.
Thirdly, Radev motivated his unwillingness to meet with the PG of MRF-NOVO NACHALO because “the leader of this parliamentary group is sanctioned by two partner countries – USA and Great Britain”. But he was sanctioned both three months ago and six months ago. Then why did this circumstance not prevent representatives of this group from being invited to the presidency? Has anything new happened? Has any new insight enlightened the head of state?
And here I will open a parenthesis - when the presidency extended invitations for participation of representatives of the MRF-NEW START in initiatives of the head of state or his wife, in order to make Radev stand out as the unifying figure, then the "Magnitsky" factor was somehow forgotten. Why?
Fourth, Radev claims that he wants to keep the atmosphere of the presidency clean from the penetration of elements over which the shadow of corruption hangs. He is right! The presidency should be an example of compliance with laws, morality and the rule of law.
However, what will Radev say about the confessions of the “charlatans” born of him, which he is not afraid to accept, made in that recording on May 26, 2023. The words of the co-chairman of the PP Kiril Petkov, which we all heard: “The truth is that the whole scheme that we have made these 2 years, the intellectuals are 7% to 10%. If you let the people in, as it is currently structured, we should be 10% with the DB, with everything. We made a little fuss over the president...”, aren't they an expression of corruption at the highest level? Aren't we talking about conquered institutions and abuse of power, in which the presidential institution is also involved?
And to make the picture complete, I will recall the words of the other co-chair of “We continue the change” Assen Vassilev, also from the same recording: “Rumen Radev has got Geshev under one arm, Koprinkov under the other arm. And with one hand he bribes them, with the other hand he threatens them (the mayors - editor's note). This thing is currently happening to absolutely all GERBer mayors. And so far Radev has not denied what Assen Vassilev said, who in fact confirms what is being said in the country - about pressure being exerted on mayors and extortion on businessmen on behalf of the presidency.
When Radev wants to be the moral pillar of the nation, he really has to meet the criteria of principles, transparency, equal treatment for everyone, party impartiality and respect for law and truth. And not to cover up or ignore facts, which are inconvenient for him at the expense of others, with which to hit those positioned as his political opponents.
Radev's blunder is really shocking and that's why it received such a sharp public reaction. The bad thing is that he again failed to emerge with wisdom and statesmanship from this situation, but continued the line of petty nagging and confrontation.
Source: epicenter.bg