Ivaylo Kalfin, presidential candidate of Coalition for Bulgaria: The President must defend the freedom and dignity of the Bulgarian citizens

- Mr. Kalfin, are you surprised with the current Bulgarian political reality during this pre-election campaign?
- No. Over the last two years, I have been working in Brussels, but I have been travelling to Bulgaria almost every week. I am well aware of the Bulgarian political reality. In this sense, our country cannot surprise me with anything new. What filled me with anxiety during my numerous pre-election tours across our country over the last three months was the enormous difference in the current situation. Two years ago I made a pre-election campaign as leader of the Bulgarian Socialist Party's election list for the European Parliamentary elections. In fact, at that time, the people in our country did not feel so abandoned and were not so poor. At some places, poverty has already reached the turning point of misery and many Bulgarians are literally financially devasted. They do not know whether they will have enough money for living or whether they will keep their jobs. They are uncertain about the future. Actually, the GERB government not only fails to take any efficient measures to improve the daily life of Bulgarian citizens but I am worried that it uses their fear as a tool for collecting votes.

- You are well-acquainted with the work of the President and his administration, as well as the effective legal framework. Do you think that the presidential powers need to be extended?
-Yes, I am well-acquainted with the institution. Presidential powers are neither limited, nor negligible. I would propose some amendments, which will not change the form of governance, but will reinforce and strengthen the authority of the President. For example, there should be a greater parliamentary quorum when rejecting the President's veto, as well as enhanced presidentail rights and responsibilities for declaring referendums. I would also suggest the passing of a new Law on the Consultative Council on National Security, which could become a more competent and effective body.

I would also propose the adoption of another function, which is not directly connected with the presidential institution, but with the protection of civil rights. The latter will grant the citizens the opportunity to file a constitutional claim so that they can directly refer to the Constitutional Court. These are all constitutional amendments, which can be passed without convening the Grand National Assembly.

- Many people think that the President should be elected by the National Assembly rather than by direct voting. What is your opinion?
- I think that the Constitution now rests on the division and the balance between the authorities. These features are very important in Bulgaria, especially in recent years when I see the vicious desire of a single party for obtaining all the powers in the country and concentrating it in the hands of one person. This could happen if the President is elected by the Parliament and I am firmly convinced that this political model cannot be applied in Bulgaria. As a result of the direct vote of more than two million citizens, the President can receive enormous prestige and opportunities.

- You support the idea that the President must unite the nation. But there have been many disagreements between the current Prime Minister and the President. How do you intend to counteract this trend?
- The President must unite the nation. Today, the President needs to protect the freedom and dignity of the Bulgarian citizens. As regards the PM and the GERB government, I strongly oppose any speculations that the election of our BSP presidential couple could destabilise the current government. The stability of the government generally does not depend on the President, but on the parliamentary majority and the implemented policies.

As to our collaboration with the GERB government, we will be far from approving the actions of Boyko Borissov, but we can serve as an objective balance to what happens in order not to allow a return to the totalitarian state governance and to prevent the undermining of the democracy. I will quote Stefan Danailov: ''We will cooperate with the Cabinet members with a smile and respect, while expecting the same from them in return, no matter how difficult they find it."

- As a potential Supreme Commander of the Bulgarian army, are you for or against the participation of our troops in missions abroad?
- I am backing the participation of our troops contingents in the NATO missions, but our army's task cannot be limited only to the current world events. Bulgaria has undertaken allied commitments and must fulfill them. At the same time, we must start thinking about withdrawal of our contingent from Afghanistan since even the USA as a leading party there has already adopted a timetable for the gradual withdrawal of its troops.
Besides, funds should be set aside and we must work on the strengthening of the ability of our armed forces to defend our territory. We must also aim at the modernisation and improvement of the social status of our military servicemen.

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