Ivan Demerdzhiev from "Progressive Bulgaria" stated today that Delyan Peevski and Boyko Borissov do not require state protection, commenting before reporters in parliament. He drew a distinction between the broader issue of whether members of parliament should have security and the specific case of the two political figures. ?The fact that MPs do not have security at all is a separate matter from whether Peevski and Borissov need protection - there are many possible approaches,? he said, adding that personal protection does not necessarily have to be provided by the National Service for Protection.
Demerdzhiev also addressed a proposal by the party ?Revival? to remove NSO protection entirely from MPs, expressing reservations about the method. ?I?m not sure this is the right way to remove such protection,? he noted. At the same time, he argued that temporarily suspended European prosecutor Teodora Georgieva should be granted security, explaining that based on what he knows, ?it leads me to believe she needs protection.?
On judicial reform, Demerdzhiev said draft rules for forming the Supreme Judicial Council are ready and will soon be discussed and put to a vote. He pointed out that no candidates for the council have been nominated yet, stressing that ?without rules, there is no way to have candidates.? He also commented that he had not yet met with Boyan Magdalinchev and expressed hope that the current council members would not follow what he described as the ?Sarafov model? in their remaining time in office.
Asked whether he could become interior minister, Demerdzhiev said the decision would be clear once the new cabinet is voted on. He also responded to a question about sitting near Peevski in parliament, making clear he does not intend to communicate with him directly. ?I took the seat that belongs to me. Mr. Peevski and I can speak in another way ? on business,? he said.
Recent developments have drawn attention to Demerdzhiev's influence, particularly after the rapid resignation of Borislav Sarafov. Following months of pressure from domestic and international actors for him to step down, Sarafov withdrew shortly after a public statement by Demerdzhiev. In a social media post on April 22, he wrote: ?I want to state very clearly to Sarafov and the prosecutor's collegium of the SJC - the time for gossiping is over. Sarafov must leave immediately!?
Later the same day, Sarafov formally stepped down before the prosecutor's college of the SJC, explaining that he had delayed announcing his decision to avoid further destabilization. In his statement, he said: ?I postponed revealing my decision in order not to allow further destabilization of the Prosecutor's Office in the context of a prolonged and severe political crisis, which I hope has now found a successful resolution, as demonstrated by the majority of Bulgarian citizens.?
Support for Demerdzhiev as a potential interior minister has also emerged. Boyko Rashkov described him as a suitable candidate, citing his professional background. ?The Ministry will be in good hands - he is competent, energetic, and experienced. He has already led the Interior Ministry and has also served as deputy minister and minister of justice,? Rashkov commented.
By contrast, Daniel Mitov refrained from offering an opinion, noting that the choice depends entirely on the ruling majority. ?I cannot say who will be minister of anything. That is a decision for the governing parties,? he said.
