“False start and denigration of the idea of constitutional reform.” That is how Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) leader Korneliya Ninova described the proposal by We Continue the Change/Democratic Bulgaria (PP/DB) to make 24 May, the day of the alphabet, education and culture, Bulgaria’s national day instead of 3 March.

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She added that the socialist party had received an invitation for talks with PP/DB but that they would not take part in them. The issues politicians ought to be focusing on right now are the budget, the funding for municipalities, the Recovery and Resilience Plan, she said, and added that the BSP also rejects the proposal to restrict the number of terms of office for mayors to two, and asked why the idea should not affect MPs as well.

"The attempt to erase March 3 as Bulgaria's national holiday is an attempt to erase the past", commented, in turn, the leader of Vazrazhdane party Kostadin Kostadinov. In his words, this would draw dividing lines in society in order to turn some Bulgarians against others.

There is Such a People also disapproves of 24 May being made national holiday, a statement by MP Dragomir Petrov made clear. According to him, the proposal is yet another attempt to divide Bulgarian society - in order to "push through all their desires and intentions to acquire and benefit from power."