From the rostrum of the European Parliament I would like to salute Bulgarian citizens who, in the recent weeks through mass rallies and protests, opposed to the disastrous policy of the right-wing government in Bulgaria and led to its resignation.
For three years and a half Bulgarian government was following a destructive economic and financial governance model, which doubled unemployment, declined real incomes and crushed the small and medium business for the sake of monopolistic corporations and interests.
It was a civil revolution and march against the lack of perspective for the young people, against the misery on which are forced into the elder part of the population, against the authoritarian government of the GERB Party, which turned a blind eye to the sufferings and the daily struggle for survival.
“The Bulgarian Spring” received its tragic symbol – as sign of protestor Plamen Goranov, who lit himself on fire. His death was the strongest moral judgment to the governance, as well as the people, who placed their personal interests above the interests of the citizens during the transition period.
Bulgaria is already a different country. I believe that after the early parliamentary elections, public institutions will put people’s interests first, awaring that the power derives from the people and is exercised in the name of the people.
Speech by Kristian Vigenin in plenary | 12.13.2012