At the beginning of the new plenary session of the 44^th National Assembly, major parliamentary groups in Bulgaria have issued political declarations of their priorities in 2020.

GERB warns that domestic and international tensions at the start of this year have necessitated a will for unity and dialogue between the various political forces, whether in government or in opposition. The main ruling party is committed to working to turn the water crisis in Pernik into an opportunity for change, as well as amendments to the Electoral Code and the Political Parties Act.

Bulgarian Socialist Party leader Kornelia Ninova said the new parliamentary session began amid a crisis that saw the ninth ministerial change in the current cabinet with half a million Bulgarians threatened by a water supply regime. Accusing the government of working for foreign interests over the past 10 years and having corruption already enshrined in the laws, Ninova called on opposition forces in parliament and civic associations to come together in a united effort to replace the current government.

According to the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF), acute problems in the country must be resolved very shortly before a parliamentary crisis has started. The political movement believes that the major problems in the water supply and healthcare sectors were anticipated because these sectors have remained unreformed. According to the MRF, the responsibility for the difficult current situation in the country lies entirely with GERB.

The United Patriots coalition group said the water crisis in Pernik was a really serious problem, but the most important topic today was whether the Bulgarian nation was united or was turning into a gathering of people hating each other as a result of deliberate defamation and loss of trust in institutions. The United Patriots do not intend to leave the government in order not to allow the MRF inside, and will continue to defend the national interests, the coalition officials have assured.

English Rossitsa Petcova