Dear Madam President of the Republic of Bulgaria,
Dear Prime Minister,
Ladies and Gentlemen Ministers,
Dear Constitutional Judges and Representatives of the Judiciary,
Your Excellencies, Representatives of the Diplomatic Corps in the Republic of Bulgaria,
Dear Mrs. Velislava Delcheva - Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria,
Your Holiness Daniel – Patriarch of Bulgaria,
Venerable Dr. Mustafa Hadji – Chief Mufti,
Venerable Bishop Petko Valov – Apostolic Exarch and Chair of the Bishops Conference of the Catholic Church in Bulgaria,
Venerable Mr. Maxim Delchev – Chair of the Central Israeli Spiritual Council,
Venerable Mr. Antranik Shakaryan - Chair of the Diocesan Council of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Holy Church in Bulgaria,
Venerable Mr. Rumen Bordjiev - Chair of the Management Board of the United Evangelical Churches,
Dear Presidents of the Republic,
Mr. Petar Stoyanov,
Mr. Georgi Parvanov,
Mr. Rosen Plevneliev,
Dear Speakers of the National Assembly,
Dear Mr. Vasil Terziev – Mayor of Sofia Municipality,
Dear Mr. Stefan Marchev – Chair of the Supreme Bar Council,
Dear Admiral Emil Eftimov – Chief of Defence,
Dear Mrs. Kamelia Neykova – Chair of the Central Election Commission,
Dear Mr. Dimitar Manolov – President of Podkrepa Trade Union,
Dear Mr. Plamen Dimitrov – President of the Confederation of Trade Unions in Bulgaria,
Dear Mr. Chairman,
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen of the National Assembly,
On behalf of the Parliamentary Group of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms, I have the honour to congratulate you all on the occasion of the opening of the Fifty Second National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria.
Today we are not just marking the beginning a new parliamentary term – today we are affirming democracy as a living and continuous process based on the trust of the citizens, the rule of law and the responsibility of institutions. Democracy is not to be taken for granted. It is a choice which we make every day. It is a choice of dialogue instead of confrontation, of sense instead of extremity, of statehood instead of populism and of the common good instead of narrow party interests.
Here I would like sincerely to thank all Bulgarian citizens who exercised their right to vote and gave a strong mandate to the 52nd National Assembly. Their will was clear – and we are obliged to respect it. It is for this reason that I appeal to all political forces represented in the 52nd National Assembly to work together – on behalf of the Bulgarian citizens who voted to send us here.
I would especially like to thank the voters of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms for their trust, support and belief in democracy. I would also like to thank those Bulgarian citizens who live outside the country – and in particular in the Republic of Turkey – who, despite the difficulties, supported the democratic process in Bulgaria with patience and responsibility.
With both dignity and consistency, the Movement for Rights and Freedoms has always upheld the principles of respect, tolerance and equality between all Bulgarian citizens, regardless of their religious and ethnic affiliation. For us, these values are not just words from the political dictionary. They are the moral basis on which modern Bulgarian statehood is built. They are the bridge which connects us as a society, and the guarantee that our differences will not divide us, but enrich us.
We believe that the real strength of Bulgaria lies precisely in this – in respect for the diversity of ethnicities, cultures, religions and ideas. It lies in our ability to seek dialogue and agreement, and to unite around the strategic priorities of our nation. Bulgaria is strongest when it is united. When every family, every tradition, and every community finds its rightful place in our common home.
In the current dynamic domestic and international environment, Bulgaria needs a clear vision and sustainable policies. The main priorities for the Movement for Rights and Freedoms are: the quality of life and raising living standards, economic stability and growth, modernisation of the economy, agricultural production and ensuring food security, overcoming social and regional inequalities, support for young families and children of Bulgaria, the preservation and development of traditional values, Bulgarian culture and modern education, steadfast European development of Bulgaria as an effective member of the EU and constructive partnership with the United States of America and the Euro-Atlantic community.
In this context, the Movement for Rights and Freedoms will play its role as a constructive and responsible opposition. We will support any policy which protects the rights and freedoms of people and is in the interest of Bulgarian citizens and the state. At the same time, we will be a consistent and principled balance wherever we see any deviation from the principles of good governance, transparency and legality, or the standards of democracy and human rights.
We believe that statehood is also measured by ensuring the dignity, rights and freedoms of every citizen. This will be our guide – to defend the freedom, justice and equality of every Bulgarian citizen as an integral part of Bulgaria's future.
It is our conviction that we need to overcome the language of opposition and restore a culture of political dialogue which will contribute to finding common solutions in the interest of society.
It is my wish that this parliament be an example of political maturity, responsibility and statesmanship. Let us prove that we can build bridges, not divisions; that we can agree on key issues for the future of Our Bulgaria, Our Motherland.
The Movement for Rights and Freedoms puts Bulgaria's interest above all else.
It is also my wish that with our joint efforts, we may justify the trust of Bulgarian citizens and work for statehood, prosperity and security for Bulgaria .
But let us not forget that behind every decision we make there are real human destinies. These are families who rely on security, children who expect a chance for a better future, and the elderly who deserve peace and dignity. The responsibility which we bear is not just political – it is moral. It requires honesty, courage and a willingness to put the interest of society above all else.
We wish good luck to the Fifty Second National Assembly!
