Vazrazhdane Leader Accuses Caretaker Prime Minister of Blocking Access to Security Council, Raises Security Concerns

Sofia, Bulgaria – Kostadin Kostadinov, leader of the Vazrazhdane party, has accused caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov of obstructing parliamentary oversight and raising concerns about national security. The accusations stem from an incident where Vazrazhdane MPs were allegedly barred from entering the Council of Ministers and participating in a Security Council meeting focused on the situation in the Middle East.

Blocked Access and Allegations of Rights Violations

According to Kostadinov, he and other Vazrazhdane MPs were prevented from attending the Security Council meeting by order of Prime Minister Gyurov. “In an absolutely unprecedented manner, Gyurov forbade the MPs from ‘Vazrazhdane’ to enter the Council of Ministers, forbade me as the chairman of a parliamentary group to attend the Security Council,” Kostadinov stated to journalists. BTA News reports that Kostadinov claims this action violated his rights as a deputy, asserting his right to be present in any state or municipal institution.

Security Concerns and Potential Targets

Kostadinov further expressed concerns that the Vasil Levski airport in Sofia could become a target, citing escalating tensions in the Middle East. He suggested that Iran, in response to attacks, might target American bases in the region and, potentially, infrastructure in Bulgaria. “Iran was hit by Israel, but it hit American bases in the United Arab Emirates, in Bahrain, in Qatar and in Saudi Arabia, which is indicative of the fact that in a state of war that Iran is in, it will respond to all forms of threats to its security,” Kostadinov added, according to BTA News. He warned that Sofia itself “possibly” could become a target for bombing.

Political Context and Caretaker Government

The accusations come as Bulgaria navigates a period of political transition. President Rumen Radev is expected to hand the first exploratory mandate for forming a regular government to GERB-UDF on Monday, but both GERB-UDF and Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) have indicated they will return the mandates unfulfilled. Balgarianovinite.com reports that if all attempts to form a government fail, Radev will designate a caretaker prime minister to prepare for snap parliamentary elections. Kostadinov expects Deputy Governor of the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB), Andrey Gyurov, to be appointed as the next caretaker prime minister, noting he is not connected to MP Delyan Peevski or Borisov.

Voting Machine Demands

Kostadinov also reiterated his party’s call for the use of voting machines in the upcoming elections, believing there is sufficient time to enact the necessary legislative changes. Balgarianovinite.com