MPs of Different Parties Comment on Idea to Hold New Referendum on Election System

Sofia, June 21 (BTA) - MPs of various parliamentary groups Wednesday commented to journalists at the National Assembly on an idea aired by Legal Affairs Committee Chairman Danail Kirilov MP of GERB that the type of election system should be put to a new national referendum. Kirilov came up with the idea after a bill amending the Election Code, that would have replaced proportional representation by a two-round majoritarian system with absolute majority for parliamentary elections, was defeated even on first reading in Parliament. GERB moved the draft legislation, arguing that it reckoned with the opinion expressed by over 2.5 million voters at a November 6, 2016 national referendum.

The BSP for Bulgaria and the United Patriots parliamentary groups are drafting their own bills proposing changes to the election system, which will be laid before the legislature shortly. Volya have already tabled a bill on the subject.

Filip Popov MP of BSP for Bulgaria: "Kirilov's idea seems to me as yet another political stunt, demagoguery and populism. GERB should first sort out the matter among themselves. On the one hand, Justice Minister Tsetska Tsacheva argues that she continues to work for majoritarian elections, and on the other hand, the Legal Affairs Committee Chairman wants the type of the election system to be decided by a referendum. The ruling majority is scared, and it has yet to be seen what scares it."

Iskren Vesselinov, Deputy Floor Leader of United Patriots: "A new referendum will be an exorbitantly priced sociological survey. The latest referendum showed two facts. First, it is not compulsory, and, second, people obviously want to vote in the most majoritarian way possible. We must bring these facts together into a single solution. A balance should be found between the majoritarian principle and parliamentary representation: parties should be stimulated to nominate personalities and citizens should be enabled to elect personalities, while, at the same time, the balanced parliamentary representation should be kept as provided by proportional representation. There is no need to rush the bill because the next [parliamentary] elections will be held in four years' time."

Polina Hristova, Deputy Floor Leader of Volya: "We are in favour of referendums, this is the way in which the public can express its opinion on significant subjects and be heard. My group will comment on the proposal for a new referendum when it is officially formulated and made public by GERB. If the referendum takes place a year from now, people will be tired and the voter turnout will be low."

Tsveta Karayancheva MP of GERB: "There are different opinions in the GERB Parliamentary Group. We will consider the matter and come up with a stand."