SPEECHES AND STATEMENTS

Address of President Rosen Plevneliev on the Occasion of the Local Elections and the National Referendum

Dear compatriots,

Local elections are forthcoming, and for the first time in our most recent history a referendum will be conducted together with them.

I call on the political forces to respect the Bulgarian people by giving it the opportunity to have a real reflection day – without manipulations, mutual accusations and provocations. We should all show that we have learned our lessons from the recent past, when scandals accompanied even the reflection day of the Bulgarians. As it became clear, although everybody loses from such an approach, what is lost above all is the people’s trust, while it is the most valuable resource for every politician and state.

I support direct democracy. It provides us additional, so far unused opportunities, which will for sure enrich the democratic model in the country. Currently everything depends on us, the millions of voters – on our activity, on our responsibility and the position we have adopted on what is going on in the state. No matter whether it was good or bad, active or not, the election campaign is already in the past. Only one reflection day is left and everything will be in our hands. On this day neither of us will be an ordinary voter for the left or right political parties. Hopefully no one will be a passive citizen, who by showing indifference and a lack of position will distance themselves from the political model in the country. On Sunday every one of us may vote for the better person to run their town or village. On Sunday every one of us will have one more ballot paper in their hands, the one for the referendum with which they will have the opportunity to unambiguously declare their willingness to be part of the solutions for Bulgaria and to be heard. We should take advantage of this opportunity and prove that the Bulgarian civil society is active, understands the problems, provides solutions and demands results.

In the past month the political parties and the independent candidates competed to win our votes. They offered their ideas and conceptions about the development of the towns and villages we live in. The election of local authorities is extremely important for each one of us. We should elect a mayor and municipal councilors who have knowledge and skills. We should think pragmatically and reasonably. We have already gained a lot of experience and we can draw a distinction between political slogans and workable ideas about the Bulgarian regions. We also enjoy the support of the resources of the European Union – a unique project for peace, human rights and freedoms. Bulgaria is a proud and active member of the European family. In order to take full advantage of European solidarity, which already brings about visible changes in Bulgaria, we should elect competent and knowledgeable local leaders, who have a modern mode of thinking.

At the upcoming elections we will not only see the electoral practices we well know from the past, but we will also stand the great chance to promote what is new and different in politics. We will choose between the option of being given pre-election promises and thereafter be left in oblivion until the next elections and having a say on every important for the country issue. This is what direct democracy offers – to have not only the voice of our representatives but also our own voice heard. We should promote direct democracy and the referendums in Bulgaria by voting massively on Sunday. Let all of us vote “for” or “against” the introduction of online voting. No matter how we vote at the referendum, our vote is important because it is a vote for more democracy!

We are already well familiar with the model along which our political system functions. It has its advantages and disadvantages. We have achieved a lot in the transition from a totalitarian regime to a law-governed state with democratic institutions. Each one of us criticizes in certain aspects the way the state functions. However, we should also adopt a position on how to improve things. It is namely now that we have this chance. We have had enough of listening to messiahs, populists with radical solutions, politicians who deny all achievements and suggest that we start anew every time, while practically relying on the passivity of the civil society. However, on Sunday we stand the real chance of improving the currently existing democratic model. We have the chance to alone build the institutions instead of being passive. We should be active, by voting each one of us should disprove the allegations that the Bulgarian people lacks sufficient experience, that only a limited group of people can solve the important state issues. That is what we will vote for at the referendum on Sunday. The concrete question is clear and is extremely important in itself because it is a question about how the Bulgarian people will elect their representatives. However, there is one more question – will referendums principally be conducted in Bulgaria or will we once again give the political forces the chance to compete in populism instead of listening to the people.

It is not true that the referendum is spoiled, that it is senseless, that it will fail to succeed – all these arguments have been proposed by people who like the current status-quo and who try to discourage us. However, currently the situation is different because the referendum on 25 October will be held and everything will be in our hands. I am convinced that the Bulgarian people is wise and that we will not miss the chance to change the rules for the better. Let us finally promote direct democracy in the country.

Dear compatriots,

Go out and vote! Vote in good conscience. Cast your vote to exercise your own right to be asked and heard by the politicians. Be active.