Kiril Petkov in front of SPIEGEL: We will clear the stain of corruption stuck in Bulgaria
Kiril Petkov gave his first big interview for foreign media. “We will enforce the law without mercy,” he told Germany’s SPIEGEL. And he promises: “We will clear the stain of corruption, stuck in the name of Bulgaria,” he wrote. Deutsche Welle.
The future Prime Minister Kiril Petkov gave his first big interview for foreign media after the election victory to the German magazine SPIEGEL. In it, he points out that the coalition talks have been conducted in a new, transparent way and that the government will have the ambition to restore the rule of law in the country. SPIEGEL titled the interview with the quote “We will enforce the law without mercy.”
“I can’t stand when people talk about Bulgaria as the poorest country.”
In front of the German edition Petmenta leads the success of “We continue the changes” by choosing Kiril Petkov and Asen Vassilev’s commitments against corruption as a promise: “Our trademark will be that it spams our promises. We cannot promise wealth to everyone, but we promise hard work and zero tolerance for corruption. We will enforce the law without mercy. We want to clear the stain of corruption that has stuck to the name of Bulgaria. And to change it on the positive page – as a trademark of a country that has dealt with this problem, “said Petkov. Further, this amount, which is motivated by the potential of the page, remains unfulfilled. “I can’t stand when people talk about Bulgaria as the poorest country in the EU,” Petkov said.
In an interview with SPIEGEL, he pointed out the reasons why Bulgaria today is poorer even than Romania. According to him, this is due to the improper use of European funds, which have either supplemented someone’s pockets or have been invested in wrong projects. “During the four months in which we (with Asen Vassilev) worked as part of the caretaker government, economic growth reached a level of 10%,” Petkov told the German newspaper.
He further clarified that “We continue to change” from the outset strives for honesty and transparency, rejects any financial assistance from interested sponsors or proposals to secure electoral votes. In this regard, the future prime minister will say: “There is not a single person who could call me and tell me: ‘Cyril, now you have to do this or that.’
Asked by SPIEGEL whether he would support the prosecutor’s investigation against former Prime Minister Borissov and the notorious entourage, Kiril Petkov said he was in favor of building a completely independent and effective judiciary. At the same time, he says he is against seeking further action against just one person. “We need a really impeccable chief prosecutor. It would be best if the current incumbent resigned voluntarily, “Petkov added.
SPIEGEL also asks Kiril Petkov a question that should be quoted verbatim: “The party of former Prime Minister Borissov, which is essentially the answer to Bulgaria’s desperate situation, is a member of the European People’s Party. the German CDU. What does this mean in view of the so-called western value system? “.
“Bulgaria will no longer be a silent partner on the periphery of Europe”
“And that’s what we’re wondering,” Petkov replied, adding: “What values does this whole party family stand for?” Is there an illegal trade in votes in the European Parliament in exchange for turning a blind eye to corruption? In the case of Bulgaria, it seems to me that this was exactly the case. Those who distribute European money without checking whether there is rule of law in the recipient country increase the problems even more. That is what we need to talk about. By the way, Bulgaria will no longer be a silent partner on the periphery of Europe, “Petkov said, recalling that Boyko Borissov does not speak English.
The German magazine SPIEGEL will also be the first prime minister: will anything change regarding Bulgaria’s veto against the start of accession talks in Northern Macedonia. In response, Petkov said issues should be resolved by working groups, so you think it is not given to nationalists on both sides of the border. According to him, in the future the emphasis should be on activating economic relations between the two neighboring countries, and it is not so appropriate to interpret the common history. “If we now give the green light for the start of negotiations with Northern Macedonia, without holding a discussion, it will only strengthen the nationalists in the two Macedonians. We are betting on negotiations, not propaganda, “Kiril Petkov said at the end of the interview.