site.btaJustice Minister for BTA: Next Week Will Be Key for Bulgaria’s Position on War in Ukraine

Next week will be key in terms of what position Bulgaria will take on the war in Ukraine, Justice Minister Nadezhda Yordanova told BTA on Saturday. She was asked whether the stability of the Government and the ruling majority is in danger in light of the Bulgarian Socialist Party’s (BSP) position against the provision of military assistance to Ukraine.

On Friday, BSP leader and Economy Minister Korneliya Ninova said that her party is determined to leave the Government if it makes a decision to send weaponry to Ukraine. The other three formations in the ruling coalition are all in favour of sending weapons to Kyiv. The matter is to be voted by Parliament next week.

In Minister Yordanova’s words, Bulgaria should help Ukraine in all possible ways, including by sending weapons so that the country can defend itself against the aggressor. What positions the parliamentary groups will take on the matter will be seen next week, she added. Bulgaria is a parliamentary republic so the Government must implement Parliament’s decisions, she recalled.  

Asked whether the BSP leader will fulfill her promise and leave the government coalition should arms be sent to Ukraine, Yordanova told BTA that is a decision for the BSP to make.

Commenting on the same topic for Nova TV on Saturday, Innovation and Growth Minister Daniel Lorer said the BSP realizes very well where the national interest lies at the moment, and the political wisdom will prevail. He expressed the hope that a formula will be found for the coalition partners to continue working together.