NEWS

Statement made by President Rosen Plevneliev regarding the events around the National Assembly building on the eve of 24 July

The protests we have been witnessing in the past 40 days and the way they have been staged show how the Bulgarian civil society can cherish the democratic values including those at times of crisis. Therefore yesterday night I called on the protesters to preserve this tolerant nature of the protests, to maintain order and civil peace.

However, yesterday we witnessed scenes which clash with democratic protests – a blocked National Assembly, barricades in the center of Sofia, destroyed streets and sidewalks. I would like to voice my firm conviction that no aim justifies violence. I call on everyone who would like to peacefully voice their civilization choice, their attitude to the future of the country, their affiliation to democracy, to clearly express their disagreement with actions that provoke unrest leading to violence and clashing with the principles on which the rule of law state is based.

I call on the law-enforcement bodies to carefully observe their actions and refrain from those that could lead to mounting tension. I expect the government to make its analysis public, to pinpoint what provoked last night´s scenes in front of the National Assembly, to say whether wrong decisions have been made, should anyone be blamed and who are they?

If there are aggressive groups that provoke the protest to resort to violence, they should be pinpointed and held responsible, in complaince with rules and laws. As for the citizens who peacefully voice their position, the law-enforcing policemen should  preserve the attitude they have displayed so far.

I call on the political parties presented in Parliament to find ways out of the difficult situation. Confrontation for the sake of confrontation and the spirit of revenge may pose a threat to security in Bulgaria.

By adopting a specific attitude, the political forces and all of us contribute to solving or aggravating the crisis in the country, and the protests are a function of this crisis. Unfortunately, today as well I notice attempts to shift the responsibility, to trade accusations against each other.  I am ready to offer help to any effort put into remedying the grave situation in the country.

In the past weeks I have tried to find a solution more than once, I held formal and informal talks and meetings. During the protests staged in February  and the crisis that arose I convened the Consultative Council for National Security. Then a constructive political debate was held and important decisions were made. However, during the last Consultative Council for National Security, held a couple of days ago also at a time of protests and crisis, a similar approach was not adopted. I closely keep track of  everything that happens and I am ready to convene the Council at any time. The Consultative Council for National Security is not an exercise in political confrontation for the mere sake of it, but a tool to reach agreement and solve crises on the highest political level.  

I call on everyone to adopt a constructive and nationally responsible attitude!