GERB MP Anton Todorov Resigned from Parliament

Anton Todorov, MP from GERB, the majority partner in the government, said in a statement to the media on 9^th of October, that he was resigning from Parliament. Todorov says the decision was entirely his own.

In the statement Todorov says that within the recent ten days, he has been subject to an unprecedented attack from environments that will never forgive him for the revelations he made about the oligarchy, the people who acted behind the scenes and their commanders. “I refer to acting politicians and former employees of the totalitarian services,” he said.

He further explains that despite his instance that he was totally misunderstood, and his words on Nova TV were misinterpreted, despite the public excuses he put forward, the attacks on him not only did not stop, but they even turned against GERB party and its leadership.

In the statement he again apologised to the host of the NOVA TV morning show, Viktor Nikolaev, to all the viewers and Bulgarian media he voluntarily or involuntarily affected with his participation (in the show). He says that media freedom for him is a fundamental value. “I am convinced that without freedom there is no justice, it is the foundation of a democratic society,” Todorv said.

“Because of attempts to turn my reply into a label of the party from which I was elected, its leader and the millions who voted for that party, please accept my resignation as a Member of Parliament,” the statement says.

“To everyone who will use this moral act, I hurry to say that the decision to resign is entirely my own, tailored solely to my own understanding of bearing political responsibility. To all who will hurry to speculate with this decision, I want to say that I will remain with GERB and will continue to work for the development of the party and its policies,” he concluded.

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In an interview with Nova Televizia morning show host Viktor Nikolaev on 6th of October, Todorov made unacceptable comment to the host. The reason was questions related to the acquisition of new fighter aircrafts for the Bulgarian army. Todorov made reference to Nikolaev’s former co-host Ani Tsolova, who was shifted off the programme.

The NOVA TV host Nikolaev was asking questions about the fighter aircraft acquisition process, President Radev and the Gripen bid.

Asked by Viktor Nikolaev whether the choice of the Gripen fighter jet by the caretaker government of PM Ognian Gerdzhikov was "the product of a certain lot of people", Todorov replied: "You are using very strong words, they will eat your bread, they have already eaten your colleague's bread (referring to Ani Tsolova). She was going a bit into some direction“ Todorov said and told the host to note that Tsolova’s chair was empty.

Hours later, Anton Todorov explained in writing that he did not want to threaten Viktor Nikolaev and apologized for his words. He claimed that they were misunderstood and that he expressed concern that the journalist should not get the wrath of other people who have great levers of influence. Todorov pointed out that he had been the subject of an unprecedented attack in recent days because of his revelations about the oligarchy and behind-the-scenes influence.

Journalist organizations condemned the disregard of the freedom of speech and pressure on journalists, and even called for the media to boycott the government of the day that allow it.

In a statement to the media later on that day, GERB distantised itself from the opinion of its MP, saying that "free journalism has the right to ask questions."