Parliament Rejects Vote of No Confidence in 3rd Borissov Cabinet

The National Assembly rejected here on Tuesday the fifth motion for a vote of no-confidence in Prime Minister Boyko Borissov's third Cabinet. The motion was rejected by 124 votes with 102 voting in favour and eleven abstaining.

The no-confidence vote was tabled last week by the Socialists over corruption. The debates were held on Monday.

The votes in support of the Government came from GERB - 94, the United Patriots - 21, Volya - one, and eight independent MPs.

The vote of no confidence was supported by the Bulgarian Socialist Party - 77, the Movement for Rights and Freedoms - 24, and one independent MP.

Eleven Volya MPs abstained.

Protesters had once again gathered around Parliament to demand Cabinet's resignation and that of Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev.

The rejected no confidence vote was followed by comments and statements by the ruling GERB party, Volya and the opposition BSP for Bulgaria.

Incumbents

Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev said nothing warrants early elections but t there will be changes. He argued that the no-confidence motion was rejected due to political logic - not thanks to parliamentary arithmetic. "There are no reasons or logic to hold early general elections a couple of months before they are due, in the midst of winter," he said. The Deputy PM said the main reason for Cabinet to stay is that it has a lot of work to do. He went on to list the most pressing tasks ahead, starting with addressing the health, social and economic consequences of the pandemic. This will be the main focus of the Government's work in the next six months or so. The second task is to prepare all documents that would ensure access for Bulgaria to the EU financial package. Completing the energy projects will also be among the Government's priorities. Another huge task is to create the organization for machine voting, he said, noting that this will require amendments to the Election Code.

Environment Minister Emil Dimitrov told journalists after the Government survived the no-confidence motion: "Everything should stay as it is which does not mean that what people say should be ignored." He also said that it is up to the Prime Minister to decide whether he would continue to be a minister. "I would like to help him where he deems fit. If he decides that it would be better for me to help in Parliament, I'll be in Parliament. If he decides, I could help him where I am currently or in a different place. I am on his team," Dimitrov said.

He would not say who should propose structural and personnel changes in the Government.
 
GERB MP Manuil Manev said that the no-confidence motion was based on "lies, nonsense and hate". He accused the Socialists of  lying to the young people protesting in the streets that the no-confidence motion was for them. "That is falsehood. You are doing it because of your unfulfilled leader," he said, referring to BSP leader Kornelia Ninova. Manev criticized the Socialists for wanting to destroy a state with all its institutions.

GERB MP Spas Gurnevski said that an attempted coup in Bulgaria was prevented.

According to Labour and Social Policy Minister Denitsa Sacheva, the Government must not resign. She also said: "The Cabinet must remain and complete its term in its current composition, and we should prepare for regular general elections." She said there is no obstacle to having dialogue with those protesters who have specific demands and ideas about the future. "However, I don't see what we could discuss with those who merely want resignations or a coup and riots," she said. 

Volya

Volya leader Vesselin Mareshki commented that if the Socialists really wanted to find out who is the opposition and who is not, they should have moved for a vote of confidence instead of no-confidence. In that case, the Government would have had to get 121 votes, but today's vote made it obvious that Cabinet has its majority, he said, wishing them success.

Socialists

Socialist MP Valeri Jablianov said that things seem to be headed towards early elections. He urged the incumbents to do a serious political and social analysis if they want to understand the motives for the no-confidence motion and a large part of the protesters, "because in a few months' time you'll find yourselves on the eve of elections".

Source: БТА