The Immunity Debate: A Recurring Political Flashpoint

The Bulgarian Parliament is once again embroiled in a contentious debate over parliamentary immunity. Attorney General Borislav Sarafov’s requests to strip immunity from several MPs, including Jayhan Ibryamov and Mario Rangelov of MRF-Dogan, along with Slavcho Krumov, Ivaylo Chorbov, Yordan Todorov, and Nikola Dimitrov, are set to be addressed this Thursday.This move follows a previous attempt earlier this year that was met with resistance, highlighting the deep divisions within the governing coalition.

Roots of the Impasse: Protests and Shifting Alliances

The initial requests for immunity in February stemmed from investigations into the actions of Vazrazhdane MPs during protests outside the house of Europe. The Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office even sought permission to arrest two of these MPs, escalating the situation. The Attorney General’s renewed push for the MRF-Dogan mps’ immunity comes after the ruling coalition, which initially cited governmental stability as a reason to protect them, lost MRF-Dogan’s support in April, culminating in a vote of no confidence.

Political Reactions: A Divided House

The revival of this issue has triggered a spectrum of reactions from various political factions, casting doubt on whether Parliament can muster the necessary majority to waive the MPs’ protection. Boyko borisov,leader of GERB,has declared his party’s opposition to the move,stating a reluctance to engage in what he perceives as time-wasting exercises. This stance underscores the complex political calculations at play, where party interests often outweigh judicial proceedings.

We will not deal with topics that only waste the time of parliament. We do not want to deal with either immunity, no committees, or such things.
Boyko Borisov, GERB leader

While MRF-Dogan has not issued a formal statement, their earlier attempt to remove the topic from the agenda suggests their likely opposition. Conversely, Delyan Peevski, a sanctioned individual, has voiced strong support for lifting the immunities, criticizing what he sees as attempts to shield criminals. PP-DB is also expected to support the removal of immunity, with MP Bozhidar Bozhanov emphasizing the importance of allowing investigations to proceed.

All MPs in our group – both PP and DB, have we gave ourselves immunity and we think this is the correct approach
MP Bozhidar Bozhanov, PP-DB

Historical Context: Previous Immunity Cases

This isn’t the frist time the issue of MP immunity has taken centre stage. Late last year, Attorney General Sarafov sought the immunity of Kiril Petkov in connection with the arrest of Boyko Borisov, and later that of Lena Borislavova in the Coral case. In February, Petkov faced a second immunity request, along with Bozhidar Bozhanov. Both Petkov, Borislavova, and Bozhanov voluntarily relinquished their immunity, setting a precedent that contrasts with the current resistance.

The Legislative Logjam: A Broader Critique

Boyko Borisov has also criticized the National Assembly for focusing on issues other than legislation, particularly those crucial for Bulgaria’s Recovery and Sustainability Plan (PV). He stressed the urgency of adopting laws that would remove Bulgaria from the “gray money laundering list” and unlock the second tranche of PV payments. This critique highlights a growing concern that political infighting is hindering progress on critical economic reforms.

These laws should be adopted quickly in May, as well as the rules of PV, to take the second-trip payment
Boyko Borisov, GERB Leader

The deadline for proposals related to the draft Personal Bankruptcy Act is fast approaching, adding further pressure on Parliament to address these legislative priorities. The ongoing debate over MP immunity, therefore, occurs against a backdrop of broader concerns about the effectiveness and focus of the Bulgarian legislative process.

Looking Ahead: Potential Outcomes and Political Stability

The outcome of Thursday’s vote remains uncertain, with various political factions holding differing views. Even if PP-DB, MRF-New Home, Sword, BSP, and ITN vote in favor of removing immunity, they would still need to rely on a smaller quorum to secure the necessary votes. This precarious situation underscores the fragility of the current political landscape and the potential for further instability. Delyan Peevski’s pledge to prevent new elections, however, suggests a desire to maintain the status quo, at least for the time being.