Bulgarian Political Party DPS – New Beginning Exits ALDE and ‘Renew Europe‘ Group in EP
The Democratic Party (DPS) – New Beginning has announced its decision to leave the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) and for its MEPs to leave the ‘Renew Europe’ group in the European Parliament. The party’s leader, Delian Peevski, outlined this move in a letter to ALDE.
Yesterday, the leadership of the ‘Renew Europe’ group in the European Parliament unanimously recommended the expulsion of the DPS – New Beginning group, following actions by its president, Delian Peevski, who was sanctioned under the ‘Magnitsky Act’. The group’s leadership cited actions within and outside the party as the reason for this decision.
DPS – New Beginning’s decision was made after an in-depth analysis and debate within the party, focused on its future and fundamental values, as reflected in the documents from its National Conference held yesterday.
In the letter, the party expresses "disappointment at the European liberals’ growing distance from the daily concerns of people and their focus on policies benefiting specific groups and interests that fail to address issues crucial to people in Europe and Bulgaria."
Criticism was also leveled at ALDE for what DPS – New Beginning describes as a "consistent policy of double standards in assessing processes in Bulgaria, particularly in the lack of reaction to corruption allegations and misuse of power involving several key figures, including Khan Ibryamov, Kiril Petkov, and Ahmed Dogan, some of whom are members of ALDE parties."
The party also notes ALDE’s tolerance or indifference towards ties with Russia, a stance they believe is incompatible with their values.
The letter concludes, "New Beginning for DPS is incompatible with belonging to ALDE or the ‘Renew Europe’ group, which are stuck in an archaic liberal model. Therefore, DPS officially announces the termination of its membership in ALDE, its MEPs will leave the ‘Renew Europe’ group, and it will also terminate its membership in the Liberal International and all associated liberal organizations."
