Sergei Stanishev: We might approach the Constitutional Court over the envisaged retirement age increase

There are grounds to approach the Constitutional Court (CC) over the increase in the retirement age as envisaged by the new Budget Act, stated BSP's (Bulgarian Socialist Party) leader Sergei Stanishev after his return to Bulgaria yesterday. He was elected as the current Acting Chairman of the Party of European Socialists (PES) on November 24 in Brussels, replacing the former Danish prime minister Rasmussen (who stepped down from the post at the regular PES Congress in September. Next year, Stanishev has the chance to be elected PES leader again, said political scientists.)

Stanishev explained that there were precedents of the Constitutional Court from the 1990s relating to the pension system. The leader of the left-wing party explained that, currently, BSP lawyers are considering the case. He was adamant that the political instability and confusion in Bulgaria were caused by the GERB (Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria party) government.

"I appealed to our members and adherents as early as last week to join every democratic protest. My impression is that the current Government will not understand our arguments so long as they are not subject to force and pressure. If there is need for pressure, it will be exerted," reckoned Stanishev.
He was adamant that his election as PES President is a great personal achievement, but also a vote of confidence in BSP. According to the leader of the Socialists, his PES Presidency is also a great opportunity for Bulgaria to express its standpoint better. As a result, our country's interests will be defended even more consistently.

"I have collaborated with the PES for 10 years. In 2001, when I was leader of BSP, the party had not yet joined the Socialist International, but in 2005 we achieved our membership in PES, which brings together all European Socialists and Social Democrats. I have worked for many years for the high prestige of Bulgaria and BSP in this PES family," stated Stanishev. He was explicit that his new presidential post meant earning high recognition with respect to the entire modernization policy of BSP, as well as for the consistent pro-European positions expressed by the party and the fact that during the rule of the former left-wing government, Bulgaria became an EU member-state. The leader of the Bulgarian Socialists said he was not planning to live in Brussels.

Прочети цялата новина

Свързани новини: