The ALDE Party Bureau has unanimously voted to recommend the expulsion of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF), Bulgaria, following recent developments concerning its leadership. This recommendation will be presented to the ALDE Party Council at the earliest opportunity, in accordance with the ALDE Party Statutes.
The decision is based on the outcome of the Sofia City Court's ruling on 19 December and the Extraordinary Congress convened on 22 December, where Delyan Peevski was proclaimed the sole leader of MRF. Mr. Peevski is a controversial figure who has been sanctioned under the Global Magnitsky Act by both the United Kingdom and the United States for large-scale corruption. His political actions are seen as detrimental to democratic principles and political stability in Bulgaria.
While the MRF has been a valued member of the ALDE Party since 2001, the Bureau firmly believes that continuing association with a party under Mr. Peevski’s leadership is incompatible with our liberal values.
"At ALDE Party, we take the fight against corruption and the defense of the rule of law seriously. A party led by an individual sanctioned under the Magnitsky Act has no place in our family. I therefore recommend that our Council take decisive action to terminate the membership of the Peevski-led MRF in ALDE," said ALDE Party President Svenja Hahn.
This decision underscores ALDE Party’s unwavering commitment to upholding integrity and safeguarding democratic principles across Europe.