PP–DB
Продължаваме Промяната – Демократична България
LeadersKiril Petkov and Asen Vasilev (PP)
Hristo Ivanov and Atanas Atanasov (DB)
Founded13 February 2023
Ideology
Political positionCentre
Colours  Indigo
Slogan"Има Как"
("There is a Way")
National Assembly
63 / 240
European Parliament
1 / 17
Website
ppdb.bg

PP–DB (Bulgarian: ПП – ДБ) is an electoral coalition between We Continue the Change and Democratic Bulgaria in Bulgaria. The two groups merged prior to the 2023 election.[1]

Background

Bulgarian political crisis

Following numerous corruption scandals linked to the governing GERB party,[2] several anti-corruption parties made breakthroughs in the April 2021 election. One of such parties was the liberal-conservative group, Democratic Bulgaria (DB).[3][4] 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.[5] 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).[5] 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).[6]

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.[7] The government was voted out in a Vote of No Confidence.[8] President Rumen Radev called an election in October 2022, in which PP fell back to second behind GERB.[9] No government could be formed as a result of the election, and so a further election was set to be held in April 2023.[10]

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.[1] 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.[11]

Issues with regional lists

There were disagreements between members of the alliance over the orders and members of regional lists.[12][13][14][15]

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[16] PP Member of Parliament (MP) from Pleven, Ivan Hristanov, declared that he would be leaving PP,[17] and would not participate in the upcoming elections.[18][19] There was speculation that he left due to conflicts with the leader of the list in the Pleven Electoral District.[20][13] Petkov denied that this was the case.[18]

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 if a DB member was as the leader of the list, calling that decision a "betrayal".[21][22][23]

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.[24]

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.[25]

Election campaign

2023 election

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.[26] 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.[27]

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:[28]

  • 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.[29][30]

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.[31]

In their joint declaration the coalition laid out their main policy proposals in 13 points, including:[11]

Composition

Members

The coalition was registered ahead of the 2023 election and includes the following six parties:[32] It has been speculated that independents, and members of other public movements may also enter the lists of the coalition, so far it has been announced that former BSP MP, Yavor Bozhankov, will lead the list in Gabrovo.[33]

On the 26th of May, Radostin Vasiliev, leader of Strong Bulgaria and nominally a PP MP, announced that he would be leaving the PPDB group in order to become an independent, due to his frustration with internal corruption and the recent government deal with GERB-SDS.[34]

Party Leader Ideology Position 2023 MPs MEPs
We Continue the Change (PP) Kiril Petkov
Asen Vasilev		 Liberalism
Anti-corruption		 Centre
36 / 240
0 / 17
Yes, Bulgaria! (DaB!) Hristo Ivanov Liberalism
Anti-corruption		 Centre to
centre-right
13 / 240
0 / 17
Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria (DSB) Atanas Atanasov Liberal conservatism
Economic liberalism		 Centre-right to
right-wing
10 / 240
1 / 17
Green Movement (ZD) Borislav Sandov
Vladislav Panev		 Green liberalism
Social liberalism		 Centre
3 / 240
0 / 17
Middle European Class (SEC) Georgi Manev Economic liberalism
Burgas regionalism		 Centre-right
1 / 240
0 / 17
Volt Bulgaria (Volt) Nastimir Ananiev European federalism
Social liberalism		 Centre to
centre-left
1 / 240
0 / 17
United Agrarians[lower-alpha 1][35] Petya Straleva Agrarianism Centre-right — —
  1. ↑ The party is an official member of the coalition, but has not been registered as such by the Central Electoral Commission.

Affiliated groups

Group Affiliation to PP–DB Leader Ideology Position MPs
Former BSP faction[36][37] Participating in PP–DB regional lists as individual members Yavor Bozhankov Pro-Europeanism
Social democracy		 Centre-left
1 / 240
Republicans for Bulgaria (RzB)[38] Endorsed PP–DB for the 2023 elections Tsvetan Tsvetanov Conservatism
Conservative liberalism		 Centre-right
0 / 240
Bulgarian Agrarian National Union (BZNS)[39] Political party that officially endorsed the PP–DB list Ilya Zyumbilev Agrarianism Centre
0 / 240
Dignity of United People (DEN)[40] Political party that officially endorsed the PP–DB list Naiden Zelenogorski Liberal conservatism
Liberalism		 Centre-right
0 / 240
Spasi Sofia[41] 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[42] A non-governmental organisation which endorsed the coalition Bilyana Gyaruva-Vegertseder Judicial reform
Anti-corruption		 Single-issue —
For Good[42] A charity organisation which endorsed the coalition Collective leadership Children's rights None —
Listen to Yourself[42] 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[42] 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[42] A charity organisation which endorsed the alliance Collective Leadership None None —
Team for Sofia[41] A public organisation based in Sofia which endorsed the list Collective leadership Sofia regionalism
Technocracy		 Big tent —

Potential members

The following parties have expressed interest in joining the coalition:

Party Leader Ideology Position
Bulgaria for Citizens Movement (DBG)[43] Dimitar Delchev Liberalism
Pro-Europeanism		 Centre to
centre-right
United People's Party (ENP)[44] Valentina Vasileva-Filadelfevs Liberalism
Pro-Europeanism		 Centre-right
We Are Coming (NI)[45] Nikolay Hadjigenov Anti-establishment
Anti-corruption		 Centre

Former members

The following parties and civic organizations officially disassociated from the PPDB coalition.

Party Leader Ideology Position 2023 MPs
Strong Bulgaria[34] Radostin Vasiliev Anti-corruption
Social conservatism		 Centre-right
1 / 240

Election results

National Assembly

National Assembly
Election Votes  % Seats +/− Government
2023 621,069 23.54 (#2)
64 / 240
 New Coalition

References

  1. 1 2 Зехирова, Златина (10 February 2023). ""Продължаваме промяната - Демократична България" e коалицията, която ще участва на изборите". Dnevnik (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  2. ↑ "Bulgaria's president calls nation's 5th election in 2 years". ABC News. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  3. ↑ "Parties and Elections in Europe". www.parties-and-elections.eu. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  4. ↑ "Резултати :: Парламентарни избори 4 април 2021". results.cik.bg. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  5. 1 2 "New centrist faction to run in Bulgaria's third election this year". Reuters. 19 September 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  6. ↑ "Bulgarian parliament backs Kiril Petkov as PM". POLITICO. 13 December 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  7. ↑ "Bulgaria's ITN party exits coalition government". Reuters. 8 June 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  8. ↑ "Bulgaria government collapses after no-confidence vote – DW – 06/22/2022". dw.com. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  9. ↑ "Резултати :: Избори за народни представители 02 октомври 2022". results.cik.bg. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  10. ↑ "Bulgaria to hold 5th election in 2 years after talks fail". AP NEWS. 24 January 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  11. 1 2 "ПП и ДБ официално подписаха споразумението за общо явяване на изборите". novini.bg (in Bulgarian). 10 February 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  12. ↑ "Скандалите между ПП и ДБ за листите са тихи! Засега!". zonanews.bg (in Bulgarian). 7 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  13. 1 2 "Тихи засега скандали за листите в неродената още нова дясна коалиция". 24chasa.bg (in Bulgarian). 7 February 2023.
  14. ↑ "Даниел Лорер: Има търкания при реденето на листите, но ще ги преодолеем". 24chasa.bg (in Bulgarian). 18 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  15. ↑ "Владислав Панев: Ще подредим листата така, че хората да са доволни". 24chasa.bg (in Bulgarian). 19 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  16. ↑ "Бивш зам.-министър открои пропуски в правителственото решение за "Капитан Андреево"". mediapool.bg (in Bulgarian). 13 October 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  17. ↑ "Иван Христанов напуска ПП". news.bg (in Bulgarian). 10 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  18. 1 2 "Иван Христанов остава извън листите на Промяната". offnews.bg (in Bulgarian). 5 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  19. ↑ "Христанов: Лагерите са обособени, не искам да съм част от този агресивен разговор". banker.bg (in Bulgarian). 10 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  20. ↑ "Нов скандал в "Промяната" и обвинения в измяна, защото отстъпили на ДБ за водач в София област". 24chasa.bg (in Bulgarian). 17 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  21. ↑ "Скандал в "Промяната": Структура видя измяна в решение на Петков и Василев". 24chasa.bg (in Bulgarian). 17 February 2023.
  22. ↑ "Александър Дунчев обвини в задкулисие "Продължаваме промяната"". dnevnik.bg (in Bulgarian). 19 February 2023.
  23. ↑ "Йордан Терзийски: Дунчев е решил да продължи своето развитие извън листите на ПП". 24chasa.bg (in Bulgarian). 27 February 2023.
  24. ↑ "Андрей Гюров за листите на ПП и ДБ: Не може да се говори за задкулисни решения". 24chasa.bg (in Bulgarian). 19 February 2023.
  25. ↑ "Драма в ДБ в Пиринско заради листата, отказват се номинирани". www.24chasa.bg (in Bulgarian). 27 February 2023.
  26. ↑ "ПП и ДБ откриха кампанията си, Явор Божанков на първа линия сравни политици с миксери". 24chasa.bg (in Bulgarian). 19 February 2023.
  27. ↑ "Явор Божанков: С БСП не сме в никакви отношения". 24chasa.bg (in Bulgarian). 19 February 2023.
  28. ↑ "ПП и ДБ: В 5 стъпки всеки българин да може да има нормален европейски живот, има как". 24chasa.bg (in Bulgarian). 3 March 2023.
  29. ↑ "За Нас". Има Как - 12 (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  30. ↑ "ПП – ДБ регистрираха листите си за вота на 2 април - Избори - Новини Бг". Novini.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  31. ↑ "Mitte-Rechts-Bündnis nun doch in Führung". Tagesschau (in German). 3 April 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  32. ↑ "Central Electoral Commission, decision №1662". cik.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  33. ↑ "Изключеният от БСП Явор Божанков се кандидатира за депутат от ПП и ДБ". Reuters (in Bulgarian). 16 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  34. 1 2 "Радостин Василев: Пълни лъжи са, че са правени записи по групите и централите". 24chasa (in Bulgarian). 26 May 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  35. ↑ "ЦИК отказа да регистрира промяна в състава на коалицията ПП – ДБ". 24chasa.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  36. ↑ "Former Bulgarian Socialist: If something made me a Convinced European, it was My Stay in Moscow - Novinite.com - Sofia News Agency". www.novinite.com. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  37. ↑ "Явор Божанков ще води листата на коалицията ПП – ДБ в Габрово". bTV Новините (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  38. ↑ "Окончателно: Цветан Цветанов: Ще подкрепим по места кандидатите на ДБ и ПП" (in Bulgarian).
  39. ↑ "БЗНС подкрепя обединението на ПП и ДБ". 24chasa.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  40. ↑ "Има как". Facebook. 2 March 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  41. 1 2 ""Екипът на София", ДБ, ПП и "Спаси София" обсъждат обща коалиция на местния вот". nova.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  42. 1 2 3 4 5 "ПП и ДБ откриха кампанията си, Явор Божанков на първа линия сравни политици с миксери". 24chasa.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  43. ↑ "С Лили Маринкова във 🎬 Въпросите говорихме за". Facebook. 25 January 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  44. ↑ "Валентина Василева-Филаделфевс: "Опасенията ми за страната са, че "партиите на промяната" отново няма да стигнем до единен блок, а тази година предстоят най-важните избори за страната - местните". Facebook. 12 January 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  45. ↑ "Бабикян изскочи от листите. Ето за коя партия ще играе". Бабикян изскочи от листите. Ето за коя партия ще играе - Избори — Новини Стандарт. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
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