We from the MRF- NEW BEGINNING are consistent in our positions, which is why today we will vote categorically against the proposals of our colleagues from Vazrazhdane aimed at restricting the number of polling stations abroad. Accordingly, we will support the proposals requesting the removal of these restrictions. It should be very clear to everyone here in this auditorium including those who are not lawyers, that every Bulgarian citizen has the right to vote, no matter where in the world they might be. It does not matter whether they are in a member state of the European Union or outside a member state of the European Union.
This is a constitutional right and no one should in any way violate this democratic right. During the debates held in the Legal Committee, as well as at the first reading in plenary hall, on several occasions I heard the statistics presented by my colleagues from Vazrazhdane which they are using as a basis to demand these restrictions. They presented detailed information broken down by years and with respect to parliamentary, presidential elections regarding the results of the respective political parties in the individual countries, as well as a breakdown of the percentage of voters. I personally believe that this statistic has absolutely no meaning at the present moment and it should not be a reason or grounds for restricting the ability of every Bulgarian citizen to exercise their right to vote. I repeat, no matter where they are in the world.
Moreover, it is high time to stop speculating and insinuating untruths, and developing something like a conspiracy theory about who submitted this proposal, who voted for it, who was part of the parliamentary quorum, and who was not.
This is simply not right and these claims are in no way substantiated. No one should be content with the fact that someone somewhere will have their constitutional rights restricted, wherever they may be. I repeat for the third and fourth time. What will happen is that many Bulgarian citizens in different countries, both in the European Union and mostly outside the European Union, will have the great desire to vote, but they will not have the physical opportunity to do so.
Not for any other reason, but mainly because most of the polling stations are located at a distance from where the citizens live. On election day we see the queues which form in specific cities and countries. Even if they actually want to vote, they will not be able to physically exercise their right to vote, as there can be a huge crowds as we have already seen.
We will categorically defend the right of every Bulgarian citizen to have a vote, regardless of where they are in the world, because this right is at the heart of every democratic country, which we claim the Republic of Bulgaria to be.
This is a constitutional right and no one should in any way violate this democratic right. During the debates held in the Legal Committee, as well as at the first reading in plenary hall, on several occasions I heard the statistics presented by my colleagues from Vazrazhdane which they are using as a basis to demand these restrictions. They presented detailed information broken down by years and with respect to parliamentary, presidential elections regarding the results of the respective political parties in the individual countries, as well as a breakdown of the percentage of voters. I personally believe that this statistic has absolutely no meaning at the present moment and it should not be a reason or grounds for restricting the ability of every Bulgarian citizen to exercise their right to vote. I repeat, no matter where they are in the world.
Moreover, it is high time to stop speculating and insinuating untruths, and developing something like a conspiracy theory about who submitted this proposal, who voted for it, who was part of the parliamentary quorum, and who was not.
This is simply not right and these claims are in no way substantiated. No one should be content with the fact that someone somewhere will have their constitutional rights restricted, wherever they may be. I repeat for the third and fourth time. What will happen is that many Bulgarian citizens in different countries, both in the European Union and mostly outside the European Union, will have the great desire to vote, but they will not have the physical opportunity to do so.
Not for any other reason, but mainly because most of the polling stations are located at a distance from where the citizens live. On election day we see the queues which form in specific cities and countries. Even if they actually want to vote, they will not be able to physically exercise their right to vote, as there can be a huge crowds as we have already seen.
We will categorically defend the right of every Bulgarian citizen to have a vote, regardless of where they are in the world, because this right is at the heart of every democratic country, which we claim the Republic of Bulgaria to be.