The Union of Socialist Women in the BSP unanimously re-elected Dora Yankova as its leader at the reporting and election conference, which coincided with the 20th anniversary of the organization, dariknews.bg reported.
The event was honored by the BSP leadership, as well as by numerous guests, including the Speaker of the National Assembly Assoc. Prof. Natalia Kiselova.
„Where there is a woman, there is justice. We, women, have the energy and devotion to the socialist idea. "We fought for statutory representation in the BSP, ensuring a significant role for women in all party bodies and its policies," said Dora Yankova in her opening speech. She called on the ministers from the "BSP - UNITED LEFT" to show that Bulgaria is also led by left-wing people, and emphasized the readiness of the Union of Socialist Women to actively contribute to the collective mind of the BSP.
"For the first time in history, the BSP, in the person of Assoc. Prof. Natalia Kiselova, elects a woman to head the National Assembly. This is a strategic success," noted the chairman of the BSP - UNITED LEFT and Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov.
He emphasized that the participation of the left in government is not for positions, but to give real content to the welfare state. “The left must be part of the solution, not part of the landscape, as it has been for many years. People are tired of timelessness and hopelessness. Our platform must not remain just a piece of paper“, added Zafirov. He drew attention to the serious problems in the municipalities, the economy and social inequality, as well as the need for the BSP to fight the mentality of an eternally losing party.
“We have not betrayed any of our voters. I believe that over time the historic compromise we made will be appreciated. The left has always thought statesmanlike, especially in these fragmented political times“, he added.
The Speaker of the National Assembly, Assoc. Prof. Natalia Kiselova, stated that the last 35 years have been particularly difficult for Bulgarian women. “Politics must be based on justice and solidarity. The BSP's entry into government demonstrates a statesmanlike approach. Our goal is not to make people happy, but to provide them with the opportunity to live with dignity“, explained Kiselova. She noted that the left has often lost not from the outside, but from the inside, and called for unity in the left space.
The organizational secretary of the BSP and Minister of Labor and Social Policy Borislav Gutsanov highlighted the lack of justice in society and the demographic catastrophe as the main problem. “For these 35 years, the biggest shortage has been a normal life for Bulgarians. However, women have proven that they are more courageous and proactive than men“, Gutsanov said. He congratulated the mayor of Troyan Donka Mihaylova for her efforts to provide electricity for everyone in the municipality.
The deputy chairman of the Delegation of the Bulgarian Socialists in the European Parliament, Kristian Vigenin, also congratulated the socialist women and stressed the importance of gender equality in the party. “Your mission is the unity of the BSP, the restoration of the influence of the left in the country and the strengthening of the international authority of the party“, he stated.
The Chairman of the BSP - Sofia Ivan Takov emphasized the importance of women's participation in politics. “The “Alexander Lilov“ Hall has never looked as beautiful as it does today“, he concluded.
The conference was attended by representatives of the BSP's coalition partners, non-governmental organizations and the representative of the “Friedrich Ebert“ Foundation Jacques Paparo.