Stanishev: The budget deficit is the result of the populism of politicians - in recent years they lived on quick loans because of the elections

"Serious political will be needed to close the large deficit in the 2025 Budget. This should not be done at the expense of social payments, but capital expenditures can be restructured. The truth is that the deficit accumulated as a result of the irresponsible behavior of politicians - before each election they competed with populist theses, they lived as if on quick loans. Don't act surprised right now. The problem is that an excessive deficit procedure would postpone our accession to the eurozone by at least three years. With all the weaknesses of the monetary union, it is better for Bulgaria to enter the core of the EU. Of course, after good and conscientious preparation. And this may be one of the tasks that the BSP sets for itself in government.”

This is how Sergey Stanishev commented on the budget procedure and the political disputes over it during his participation in the BTV program “This Saturday and Sunday”.

The BSP must clearly explain why it is in power

“I have no ambitions for power and this is my strong point in the race for chairman. I have held all high positions. My only goal is to return the meaningful conversation to the left. And to clearly express the concern of many of the party’s members and supporters about our unconvincing behavior and the way in which we entered government. It has not become clear why, after we have been claiming since 2006 that GERB is our main opponent, we are now entering a coalition? What goals do we set for ourselves in government? Therefore, the Congress is the only one that can correct the weakness and mistakes of the leadership, giving a face and clear tasks to the cabinet and our ministers in it.”

There is a danger that the Congress will fall into the trap of agreements between the lobbies in the party

“As you know, I am not a fan of direct elections. It placed the chairman above the party bodies and violated its collective spirit. But there are fears that its possible upcoming cancellation will turn the Congress into a talking shop between the candidates for chairman and into a hostage of the lobbies in the party.

Two weeks before the meeting of our highest body, a political document for the path ahead of the BSP has still not been presented. No one knows how many delegates and members of the party there are. Agreements are underway for positions in the government and for the governing bodies. This does not bode well for the future of the left,” Stanishev pointed out, angry at the leadership’s unconvincing behavior.

BSP has always been a party of dialogue

When asked how the party could once again claim to be the first political force, he replied that "the BSP was strongest when it united the left around itself and when it conducted a dialogue with a very wide range of people. Currently, voter turnout in our country is 35%. The remaining 65% are without parliamentary representation. The BSP can speak to these Bulgarians, offering them policies and solutions against the feeling of hopelessness.

But this means that the left clearly states what kind of party it will be, what policies it will pursue. Ninova's conservative line so far received a categorical assessment - 7% support. The BSP must return to the terrain of the left and the social. To become a modern European left-wing party that can help people get through the difficult economic transformations and the feeling of uncertainty.”

The war with the president was political madness

When asked if Rumen Radev was a competitor to the BSP, Stanishev pointed out that “the president is an institution and there is no way he can be a political competitor to a party. The war with him was political madness and led to the BSP’s first low result. It is no secret that most members and sympathizers of the party voted for him in the elections and instead of the left declaring before the second vote that it was re-nominating him, the leadership decided to fight a losing battle in advance.”

The new-old leadership stopped the repression, but is it pre-congress?

“The new-old leadership stopped this war with the president. It cannot be denied, it also stopped the repression within the party. I hope this is long-term, not just until the Congress positions are distributed.”

Asked about his strategy if elected chairman, Stanishev replied that his weakest result as a leader of the left in the elections was in 2009 – 750,000 votes. “In 2013, we returned another 200,000 voters. I am a realist. There is no way that from a result of 180,000 votes you can suddenly claim to be the first political force. But with a policy and clear goals, with convincing behavior in governance and a plan for the future, the BSP can succeed.”