The event of the past year was the dispute over the euro, not the resignation of the cabinet. The resignation came at the end of the year, it came later. This is what historians Prof. Iskra Baeva and Prof. Dimitar Denkov united around in their conversation with Lili Marinkova in the “FACTI“ studio and the “Conversation“ show.
“The disputes over the euro themselves were a much bigger event – the whole confusion surrounding the referendum and the position of the president, who, in the wake of this referendum, began to spin the idea of whether or not he would make a project to change the political system in Bulgaria. The expectation of some "savior" has reappeared - in the same way that Videnov was replaced by Kostov, Kostov - by Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, then Borisov. These attempts to personify the saviors are constantly repeated, "said Prof. Denkov.
"Now is not the time to enter the euro - this is a thesis that I have defended many times. Yes, our treaty states that we must enter the eurozone, but... The eurozone is now in a deep crisis and Bulgaria's entry at this time, which is also not in an ideal economic, political and financial situation, is bad for both countries. I understand why the eurozone prefers Bulgaria to join - any formation, when new members join it, looks more attractive. But in my opinion, it was better for Bulgaria to wait for the eurozone crisis to be overcome. I also leave aside the fact that as a historian I have a sentiment towards the Bulgarian lev – in all coups, crises and cataclysms it has the value of national identity“, added Prof. Baeva.
“There are very serious studies that national consciousness is associated through the currency. Bulgaria is once again repeating a pattern characteristic of its politics over the last century – very quickly changing its “eternal allies“. Regarding the euro, for example, former socialist countries that were not as meek as Bulgaria – Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland – do not give a word about touching their currency. They rebelled even during socialism, and we are once again the most loyal ally of our new most loyal brother – the European Union. There is also the assumption that Bulgaria's small reserves, which protect us through the currency board, will contribute – albeit minimally – for the stabilization of the eurozone“, also revealed Prof. Denkov.
“The reason was the budget and the way in which the government tried to impose it by force, without the consent of the employers' organizations and with many other disagreements. Assen Vassilev kept repeating: “We are not protesting for a resignation, but for the budget“. For me, the budget cannot be a real reason for such mass protests. The people who took to the streets can hardly take a stand on such a complex matter. Young people have no direct relation to the increase in the dividend tax, although they repeated it. The main reason for the sudden mass protest, as in 2020, is the accumulation of tension and anger. After 2020, the political forces showed that they cannot find the right path. We went through how many elections… Dissatisfaction was growing, the cup overflowed, people refused to vote. So for me the budget was only the visible reason, and the accumulated anger was simply looking for an outlet“, added Prof. Baeva.
“The real reason for the big protests was the behavior of one person – and this is not Boyko Borisov, but Delyan Peevski. Borisov has extensive political experience. Peevski spoke in closed communities, in the corridors of parliament, but his language was simultaneously musty, disgusting and vulgar. The power with which he imposed 30-second meetings, the arrogant attitude towards the entire opposition, this attitude between the two protests – all this blew up the young people extremely. That's why they demanded his “head”, commented Prof. Baeva.“
See more of the conversation in the VIDEO.