Langbahn Team – Weltmeisterschaft

We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria

We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria
Продължаваме промяната – Демократична България
AbbreviationPP–DB
LeaderKiril Petkov
Asen Vasilev
Atanas Atanasov
Parliamentary leaderNikolai Denkov
Nadezhda Yordanova[1]
FoundersKiril Petkov
Asen Vasilev
Hristo Ivanov
Atanas Atanasov
Founded13 February 2023
Ideology
Political positionCentre[5] to centre-right[6]
European affiliationEuropean People's Party (DSB)
European Parliament groupRenew Europe (PP)
European People's Party Group (DSB)
Coalition membersWe Continue the Change
Democratic Bulgaria
Colours  Indigo
Slogan"Има Как"
("There is a Way")
National Assembly
37 / 240
European Parliament
3 / 17
Sofia City Council
14 / 61
Website
ppdb.bg

We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria (Bulgarian: Продължаваме промяната – Демократична България, romanized: Prodŭlzhavame promyanata – Demokratichna Bŭlgariya), also known simply as PP–DB, is a Bulgarian electoral coalition between We Continue the Change and Democratic Bulgaria (DaB and DSB).[7] The alliance was formed prior to the 2023 election.[8]

Background

Bulgarian political crisis

Main article: 2021–2023 Bulgarian political crisis

Following numerous corruption scandals linked to the governing GERB party,[9] several anti-corruption parties made breakthroughs in the April 2021 election. One of such parties was the liberal-conservative group, Democratic Bulgaria (DB).[10][11] Due to the resulting political deadlock, no government could be formed and the country would go onto face two further elections in 2021, one in July and one in November.[12] Before the November election, two popular ministers from Stefan Yanev's first interim government, Kiril Petkov and Asen Vasilev formed a new centrist political force, the We Continue the Change (PP).[12] PP would go on to win the November election, and negotiated a government with DB, alongside the Socialist Party (BSP) and another anti-corruption party There Is Such a People (ITN).[13]

The government fell after less than seven months in power, after ITN pulled out due to disagreements over the Budget and Macedonian accession to the European Union.[14] The government was voted out in a Vote of No Confidence.[15] President Rumen Radev called an election in October 2022, in which PP fell back to second behind GERB.[16] No government could be formed as a result of the election, and so a further election was set to be held in April 2023.[17]

Formation

The alliance was announced on 10 February 2023. The alliance's stated aim was to get the most votes in the April 2023 election, giving them the first chance of forming a government.[8] A joint declaration titled "We Continue Together" was signed on 13 February 2023 by representatives of PP, Yes, Bulgaria!, Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria, and the Green Movement (ZD), formally announcing the formation of the alliance.[18]

Election campaign

2023 election

Issues with regional lists

There were disagreements between members of the alliance over the orders and members of regional lists.[19][20][21][22]

Prior to the final announcement and submission of the regional lists, some figures in PP either left the party or threatened to leave it. Notably, a prominent[23] PP Member of Parliament (MP) from Pleven, Ivan Hristanov, declared that he would be leaving PP,[24] and would not participate in the upcoming elections.[25][26] There was speculation that he left due to conflicts with the leader of the list in the Pleven Electoral District.[27][20] Petkov denied that this was the case.[25]

PP MP from Sofia Oblast, Alexander Dunchev, announced he would not be contesting the election and would leave PP, due to a DB member being placed as the leader of the list, calling the decision a "betrayal".[28][29][30]

Chairman of the PP Parliamentary Group, Andrey Gyurev, denied that any "under the table" negotiations about list leaders were on-going and that all list leaders would be chosen based on merit. Gyurev confirmed that the PP Executive Council would meet on 22 February to finalise the list with DB.[31]

On 27 February, a day before lists were to be announced, disagreements broke out in Blagoevgrad Province. This led to DB MP and lawyer, Ivan Dimitrov, who had been selected to be third on the local list, to announce that he would be withdrawing from politics, citing problems with the joint list as one of his reasons.[32]

Campaign

The PP–DB coalition began its campaign on 19 February at an open air event in front of the National Theater in Sofia. The event was attended by PP co-leaders, Petkov and Vasilev, Panev, the leader of ZD, DSB leader Atanas Atanasov, independent former BSP MP Yavor Bozhankov, as well as leaders of public organisations which had decided to endorse the list.[33] At this meeting, it was confirmed that Yavor Bozhankov will lead the list in Gabrovo, additionally that PP–DB stated that they represent the "good forces" in Bulgarian politics, as opposed to GERB, which represented a return to the past.[34]

On 3 March, Bulgarian Liberation Day, PP–DB unveiled their slogan "There is a Way" (Bulgarian: Има Как) at an event. The alliance called for Bulgarians to come together to fight for change, proposing five steps that would ensure a "good European life for all Bulgarians". The five steps are as follows:[35]

  • Joining the Eurozone in 2023
  • Joining the Schengen area in 2023
  • Investing millions into regional development, including especially strengthening farms
  • Diversifying Bulgaria's energy supply
  • Guaranteeing quality healthcare and education for all Bulgarians

Regional list leaders

The following table displays all the candidates who are placed first in the regional list for PP–DB for the April 2023 elections.[36][37]

Regional list leaders
List No. Location Party Candidate
1 Blagoevgrad PP Andrey Gyurov
2 Burgas SEC Konstantin Bachiyski
3 Varna PP Daniel Lorer
4 Veliko Tarnovo DSB Lyudmila Ilieva
5 Vidin DSB Lyuben Ivanov
6 Vratsa PP Denitsa Simeonova
7 Gabrovo Ex-BSP (PP) Yavor Bozhankov
8 Dobrich DaB! Ivaylo Mirchev
9 Kardzhali DSB Atanas Atanasov
10 Kyustendil PP Georgi Stamov
11 Lovech PP Iskren Arabadzhiev
12 Montana PP Vanina Vecina
13 Pazardjik PP Ivaylo Shotev
14 Pernik PP Boyko Rashkov
15 Pleven Ex-ITN (PP) Radostin Vasilev
16 Plovdiv PP Nikola Minchev
17 Plovdiv region PP Rosen Kosturkov
18 Razgrad DaB! Antioneta Tsoneva
19 Ruse DB Martin Dimitrov
20 Silistra PP Stoyan Georgiev
21 Sliven PP Tatyana Sultanova-Siveva
22 Smolyan PP Michal Kambarev
23 Sofia PP Kiril Petkov
24 Sofia DaB! Hristo Ivanov
25 Sofia PP Hristo Petrov
26 Sofia region DaB! Alexander Simidchiev
27 Stara Zagora PP Radoslav Rybarski
28 Targovishte ZD Ilina Mutafchieva
29 Haskovo PP Asen Vasilev
30 Shumen PP Nikolay Denkov
31 Yambol PP Miroslav Ivanov

Ideology and platform

Tagesschau described the PP–DB coalition as liberal-conservative, anti-corruption, and Atlanticist.[38]

In their joint declaration the coalition laid out their main policy proposals in 13 points, including:[18]

Composition

Members and Structure

The coalition was registered ahead of the 2023 election and originally included six parties (PP, DSB, DaB!, Volt, SEK and ZD)[39] In addition, former BSP MP Yavor Bozhankov led the list in Gabrovo.[40]

On the 26th of May, Radostin Vasiliev, leader of Strong Bulgaria and nominally a PP MP, announced that he would be leaving the PP–DB group in order to become an independent, due to his frustration with internal corruption and the recent government deal with GERB-SDS.[41]

On 15 April 2024 the Green Movement left PP–DB.[42] On the 24th of April 2024, SEK also left PP–DB.[43]

Prior to the October 2024 election, Volt left the coalition following reports that DB pushed for them to be excluded.[44][45]

Party Leader Ideology Position 2023 MPs Jun 2024 MPs 2024 MEPs Oct 2024 MPs
We Continue the Change (PP) Kiril Petkov
Asen Vasilev 		Liberalism
Anti-corruption 		Centre
36 / 240
[a]
22 / 240
2 / 17
19 / 240
Yes, Bulgaria! (DaB!) Vacant Liberalism
Anti-corruption 		Centre to
centre-right
13 / 240
9 / 240
0 / 17
12 / 240
Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria (DSB) Atanas Atanasov Liberal conservatism
Economic liberalism 		Centre-right
10 / 240
8 / 240
1 / 17
6 / 240
Volt Bulgaria (Volt)[b] Nastimir Ananiev European federalism
Social liberalism 		Centre to
centre-left
1 / 240
0 / 240
0 / 17
 Not in alliance
Green Movement (ZD)[b] Toma Belev Green politics
Environmentalism
Liberalism 		Centre to centre-left
3 / 240
 Not in alliance[c] Not in alliance Not in alliance[d]
Middle European Class (SEK)[b] Konstantin Bachiyski Economic liberalism
Burgas regionalism 		Centre-right
1 / 240
 Not in alliance Not in alliance Not in alliance
United Agrarians (OZ)[b] Petya Straleva Agrarianism Centre-right
0 / 240
 Not in alliance Not in alliance Not in alliance
  1. ^ During the term of the 49th National Assembly Radostin Vasilev left the PP-DB parliamentary group and founded MECh.
  2. ^ a b c d This party has left the alliance.
  3. ^ Former ZD members who had left the party ran on PP-DB's lists and were elected to Parliament.
  4. ^ Former ZD members who had left the party ran on PP-DB's lists.

Affiliated groups

Group Affiliation to PP–DB Leader Ideology Position Notes
Former BSP faction[46][47] Participating in PP–DB regional lists as individual members Yavor Bozhankov Pro-Europeanism
Social democracy 		Centre-left Bozhankov was an MP at the time of defection
Dissident Green Movement politicians[48] Participating in PP–DB regional lists as individual members Vladislav Panev Green liberalism
Green politics 		Centre Two MPs defected rather than split off, as the rest of the party did
Republicans for Bulgaria (RzB)[49] Endorsed PP–DB for the 2023 elections Tsvetan Tsvetanov Conservatism
Conservative liberalism 		Centre-right
0 / 240
Bulgarian Agrarian National Union (BZNS)[50] Political party that officially endorsed the PP–DB list Ilya Zyumbilev Agrarianism Centre
0 / 240
Dignity of United People (DEN)[51] Political party that officially endorsed the PP–DB list Naiden Zelenogorski Liberal conservatism
Liberalism 		Centre-right
0 / 240
Spasi Sofia[52] A political group based in Sofia which endorsed the coalition. Individual members may be part of the regional lists Borislav Bonev Sofia regionalism
Anti-corruption 		Centre —
Justice For All[53] A non-governmental organisation which endorsed the coalition Bilyana Gyaruva-Vegertseder Judicial reform
Anti-corruption 		Single-issue —
For Good[53] A charity organisation which endorsed the coalition Collective leadership Children's rights None —
Listen to Yourself[53] A public organisation for deaf and blind people that endorsed the coalition Collective leadership Sign language promotion

Deaf and blind interests

None —
Center for Creative Justice Razgrad[53] A support group against domestic violence and for legal support based in Razgrad which endorsed the alliance Dimo Borisov Anti-domestic violence
Judicial reform 		None —
Three Women Foundation[53] A charity organisation which endorsed the alliance Collective Leadership None None —
Team for Sofia[52] A public organisation based in Sofia which endorsed the list Collective leadership Sofia regionalism
Technocracy 		Big tent —

Former members

The following parties and civic organizations officially disassociated from the PP–DB coalition.

Party Leader Ideology Position 2023 MPs
Green Movement (ZD) Toma Belev Green politics
Environmentalism
Liberalism 		Centre to centre-left
0 / 240
Volt Bulgaria (Volt) Nastimir Ananiev European federalism
Social liberalism 		Centre to
centre-left
0 / 240
Middle European Class (SEK) Konstantin Bachiyski Economic liberalism
Burgas regionalism 		Centre-right
0 / 240
Morality, Unity, Honour (MECh) Radostin Vasilev Anti-corruption
Social conservatism 		Centre
0 / 240
United Agrarians (OZ) Petya Straleva Agrarianism Centre-right
0 / 240

Election results

National Assembly

National Assembly
Election Votes % Seats +/− Government
2023 621,069 23.54 (#2)
64 / 240
 New Coalition
Jun 2024 307,849 14.33 (#3)
39 / 240
 Decrease 25 Snap election
Oct 2024 346,063 14.20 (#2)
37 / 240
 Decrease 2 TBA

European Parliament

Election List leader Votes % Seats +/– EP Group
2024 Nikola Minchev 290,865 14.45 (#3)
3 / 17
 New RE / EPP

References

  1. ^ https://parliament.bg/bg/parliamentarygroups/3571
  2. ^ Krassen Nikolov (7 June 2023). "Bulgarian parliament elects pro-EU government that can help Ukraine". euroactive.com.
  3. ^ Nicolas Camut (22 May 2023). "Bulgaria agrees government with rotating PMs to tackle corruption". politico.eu.
  4. ^ Krassen Nikolov (7 June 2023). "Bulgarian parliament elects pro-EU government that can help Ukraine". euroactive.com.
  5. ^ "Bulgaria's centrist PP party seals deal for coalition government". reuters.com. 10 December 2021.
  6. ^ Adriyan Georgiev (2 December 2023). "Yes, Bulgaria! will start shifting towards the right and it wants for Democratic Bulgaria to be a dominant force in that point of the spectrum". dnevnik.bg.
  7. ^ "Central Electoral Commission, decision №3161".
  8. ^ a b Зехирова, Златина (10 February 2023). ""Продължаваме промяната - Демократична България" e коалицията, която ще участва на изборите". Dnevnik (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 10 February 2023.
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  26. ^ "Христанов: Лагерите са обособени, не искам да съм част от този агресивен разговор". banker.bg (in Bulgarian). 10 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
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  30. ^ "Йордан Терзийски: Дунчев е решил да продължи своето развитие извън листите на ПП". 24chasa.bg (in Bulgarian). 27 February 2023.
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  34. ^ "Явор Божанков: С БСП не сме в никакви отношения". 24chasa.bg (in Bulgarian). 19 February 2023.
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  51. ^ "Има как". Facebook. 2 March 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
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  53. ^ a b c d e "ПП и ДБ откриха кампанията си, Явор Божанков на първа линия сравни политици с миксери". 24chasa.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 22 February 2023.
Quelle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PP-DB