Page 18 - bne_newspaper_September_7_2018

Southeast Europe
September 7, 2018 www.intellinews.com I Page 18
As well as his criticisms of the resignations, Simeonov is also involved in a long-running and acrimonious dispute with Tourism Minister Niko- lina Angelkova of GERB over various buildings at seaside resorts that Simeonov claims were built illegally. Relations have deteriorated to such an extent that Simeonov referred Angelkova to the prosecution over the issue, although prosecutors refused to investigate his fellow cabinet minister.
Meanwhile, Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev also criticised Borissov’s move, calling it a sign of weakness.
“The resignations are no more a solution but an escape from responsibility. The problem in the state is not personal but a systematic. Authoritari- anism is not the future of Bulgaria,” Radev said in a statement on September 3.
There has been speculation Bulgaria could have to hold early elections, but Radev added that a snap poll “will not give a new perspective”.
To add to the already serious crisis, a poll car- ried out by Alpha Research showed that although nearly two-thirds of Bulgarians approve of the resignations, they have not increased the very low support for the government. While 19% of those who approve the resignations say the move low- ered their support for the government and 12% say they would trust Borissov’s cabinet more after this move, the majority of people said this has not affected their perception in any way. The latter was seen as a signal that the replacement of min- isters as a tool used by Borissov is not working in his favour anymore. More than 50% of respond- ents also demanded to see those responsible for the bus crash punished.