Bulgaria: Grancharova Admits to Political Pressure Over Interior Minister Nomination

Goritsa Grancharova-Kozhareva announced plans to file a report with the chief prosecutor, alleging that she faced pressure regarding her decision to retain Kalin Stoyanov as interior minister. Speaking to journalists, she stated that over the last nine days, she experienced considerable pressure while selecting ministerial candidates. When asked if this pressure was political, Grancharova confirmed it was, though she clarified that no threats were made, only attempts to influence her choices.

Grancharova's statement came shortly after she had earlier denied being politically influenced when asked by journalists. She made her comments outside the presidency, where a surprise protest in support of Stoyanov was taking place. Grancharova had just met with Stoyanov at the Ministry of the Interior before addressing the media.

About half an hour after President Rumen Radev declined to sign the decree for Goritsa Grancharova-Kozhareva's caretaker government due to her refusal to replace the controversial Interior Minister Kalin Stoyanov, police vehicles began gathering in front of the presidential building on "Dondukov" 2 Street. The gathering was described as "spontaneous" by police officer Bozhidar Kolev, who acted as the spokesperson for the group. He explained to TV cameras that the officers had assembled in front of the presidency during their lunch break, which was notably set at 12 noon—an unusual practice, especially in typically quieter administrative offices.

Some of those gathered held placards with messages like "Let the minister do his job," similar to those seen at earlier gatherings. Later, at the protest in support of Kalin Stoyanov, the minister himself arrived, declaring that he would not resign, "especially at...