Bulgarian Nationalists Demand Referendum on Turkey EU Future

[hajduk]

http://www.novinite.com/media/images/2010-07/photo_verybig_118097.jpg

Bulgaria’s nationalist VMRO party is submitting with the Parliament Wednesday over 300 000 collected signatures for a national referendum on neighboring Turkey’s EU membership.

The referendum is to set Bulgaria’s official position on the issue and it is the first ever civic initiative organized under the Act for Direct Citizens’ Participation in Local Government.

Before being submitted with the Parliament, the signatures will be on display starting 12 pm Wednesday in the park near the Parliament’s building while the party’s leadership will held a briefing.

A group of youth members of VMRO will then depose the signatures in the administrative office of the Parliament.

According to the Act, the Members of the Parliament will have to schedule a debate to decide if a referendum will be held.

Meanwhile, VMRO is launching a series of meetings with MPs to present the nationalists’ arguments as of why a referendum is needed.

The party also demands the resignation of Foreign Minister, Nikolay Mladenov, over his statements that Bulgaria would not pose obstacles to Turkey’s joining of the EU.

novinite.com

[poiuytrewq0987]

The VMRO political party doesn't even have a single MP in the parliament so seeing this referendum go through is very slim.

[hajduk]

According to the Act, the Members of the Parliament will have to schedule a debate to decide if a referendum will be held.

[Groenewolf]

If the referendum is held, how large a portion of the Bulgarian population is expected to vote against membership for Turkey?

[Eldritch]

If the referendum is held, how large a portion of the Bulgarian population is expected to vote against membership for Turkey?

I'd be willing to bet it would be around 91% (about 9% of the population of Bulgaria are ethnic Turks). ;)

Which is why the referendum will never take place.

[hajduk]

No doubt the majority are against Turkey, probably Gypsies, turks and some pseudo liberals will vote for Turkey

[poiuytrewq0987]

I'd be willing to bet it would be around 91% (about 9% of the population of Bulgaria are ethnic Turks). ;)

Which is why the referendum will never take place.

Bulgarians are like 80% in Bulgaria right now so statistically speaking they've got 80% who will vote for such referendum. Whether it will take place or not; I don't know but anything started by VMRO? Yeah, it won't happen.

[RoyBatty]

Naturally the mainstream parties (together with parties preferred by the minorities) will ensure that such a vote never takes place. That is how EU democracy works.