By Selime Hasan Rida (JTW)

Long-lasting discussions in the Bulgarian Parliament concerning the question of whether ìTurkish EU membership should be voted in a referendumî ended yesterday (20th of September, 2010) after the voting in the parliament.

With support of the current ruling party, GERB and ethnic-Turkish party, Movement of Rights and Freedoms, the Parliament decided not to vote to determine the date of the referendum. As a reaction to that decision, Volen Siderov, the leader of the radical nationalist party ATAKA, threatened the government by withdrawing its support for the government which in turn might cause it to fall.

By protesting the voting, Siderov stated that ìuntil today we have supported GERB unconditionally, however it will not continue like this ahead. Today we witnessed that GERB is not protecting the interests of Bulgarian people. Therefore, here after we will re-orient our manners towards GERB and its policies.î

In order to get a comprehensive evaluation of the latest developments in Bulgaria, we discussed with Muzaffer Vatansever, an Expert on Balkans at USAK (International Strategic Research Organization):

ìVolen Siderov might be able to overthrow the government by withdrawing its support, however his statement was inappropriate. ATAKA has a nationalist stance, but it has very weak social support which is very crucial to get enough votes in the elections. After 2009 elections ATAKA has been in a coalition with the current government, however with its inconsistent politics, it has lost most of its public support. In case ATAKA withdraws its support for the government and paved the way for new elections, it is hard to believe that ATAKA will be able to get enough votes to pass the voting barrier. Siderov should realize the truth that, his party cannot survive without GERB; he should rethink what he is doing before breaking the ties with the GERB.î

When we asked that how do you evaluate the situation from GERBís point of view, Ms. Vatansever stated that:

ìGERB has fulfilled all the commitments to be a government. If Bulgaria decided to hold a referendum and fixed a date for that, this would have negatively affected Turkish-Bulgarian bilateral relations as well as Bulgariaís future within the EU. Contrary to Siderovís statements, it would be not in favour of the Bulgarian national interest in case they have voted to go for a referendum. Currently Turkey strives to improve its relations with its neighbours; Bulgariaís discussions regarding the referendum will not bring positive development to the region. In order to avoid any trouble in the future, Bulgaria should be rational and perceive the regional and global developments in a right manner. Only in that way, Bulgaria can contribute to the creation of the future that must be built together. In that sense, it will be apt to say that GERB undertaken all the required steps regarding the referendum discussions and froze the issue.î